Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, today announced that Kids in the Know, a body safety program for kids, will be available in all K-9 classrooms in Newfoundland and Labrador by September 2025. Kids in the Know is the Canadian Centre for Child Protections’ national safety education program. The program engages student with interactive activities to help build skills that increase personal safety and reduce risk of victimization online and offline.

Minister Howell will be available to media to provide more details about the Kids in the Know program today (Tuesday, October 24) outside the House of Assembly, Confederation Building at 11:30 a.m. Minister Howell will be joined by Bev Moore Davis with the Miles for Smiles Foundation.

Modern learning environments require responsive tools to support safety inside and outside the classroom. The Provincial Government has been working closely with stakeholders to identify additional measures that can be implemented to support student safety and well-being.

Body safety is a part of the Department of Education’s K-12 public education curriculum, with age and developmentally appropriate resources used at each grade level. The Kids in the Know program will enhance the teaching and learning strategies occurring in classrooms.

Kids in the Know is currently available in 38 schools in kindergarten to grade 3. A further 20 schools will be added in winter 2024, ahead of full implementation for the 2025-26 school year.

Quotes
“The personal safety of students is a very serious matter. Government acknowledges the recommendation for additional tools and information to be used in conjunction with our current curriculum. I am very pleased that the Kids in the Know program will be utilized in all our K-12 schools as a focused complement to current programming by 2025. It is our hope that announcements like this highlight the importance of body safety, and brings these conversations to the forefront so everyone feels supported in asking questions and raising concerns.”
Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

“Educating children in body safety skills will increase the likelihood that they will be protected from most forms of abuse (including online crimes).  For many children, school is the only option for learning these life-saving skills. I would like to thank Minister Howell and Premier Furey for their commitment to the children of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Bev Moore Davis
Miles for Smiles Foundation

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Foundation Document for Health Curriculum

Safe and Caring Schools Policy

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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:

Speaker, I rise today to highlight the amazing work that is being done by the staff and leadership at The Rooms in preserving, celebrating and sharing our province’s unique history and culture.

Since 2020, the Board of Directors, led by Chair Margaret Allan, and the staff, led by Chief Executive Officer Ann Chafe, have made it their singular purpose to bring attendance and membership back to pre-pandemic levels – and they have more than succeeded!

For 2022-23, attendance and memberships at our provincial museum, archives and art gallery were higher than they’ve ever been.

The Rooms welcomed more than 129,000 visitors last year, and more than 2,000 people purchased annual memberships.

With more than 70,000 visitors this summer, The Rooms is on track to welcome more than 130,000 people in 2023-24.

Special events to mark Come Home 2022, as well as collaborations with groups such as the Association for New Canadians, Music NL and Memorial University, which offered a wide array of programming that appealed to a diverse audience of local and non-resident visitors, contributed to this success.

The Rooms also offered curriculum-linked programming in person and online for more than 15,000 K-12 students this year, and every Friday they offer free admission to post-secondary students.

As we plan to celebrate The Year of the Arts in 2024, I look forward to the important role The Rooms will play in making it a success.

I ask all of my colleagues to join me in celebrating the wonderful contributions of those at The Rooms who work so hard to share the incredible stories of our province and its people.

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The Provincial Government today released the Auditor General’s Audit Report on Memorial University. The report is available online.

The audit report was received on Thursday, October 19. Following its receipt, officials took the time to undertake the necessary review to ensure the report that is released publicly is consistent with privacy legislation.

As part of ongoing work to update the Memorial University Act, the Provincial Government requested the Auditor General to undertake a full and comprehensive review of operations and spending in April 2022.

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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today announced the introduction of a provincial approach to ride sharing. This approach, developed after many discussions with multiple community partners, municipalities and ride sharing companies, will provide a clear and simple set of rules to enable ride sharing services to operate safely in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will also help to ensure consistency in regulation and enforcement.

To assist ride sharing operators in expanding business into the province, legislative and policy changes will be introduced in the House of Assembly, including:

• Eliminating the requirement for a written test and an on-road practical test in order to get a Class 4 driver’s licence to drive either a taxi or ride sharing vehicle;
• Waiving the requirement for a taxi licence plate to be on any ride sharing vehicle;
• Providing clear and concise definitions for a transportation network, a transportation network company and a ride sharing service;
• Clarifying the definition of taxi to not include ride sharing services;
• Introducing a system of licensing transportation network companies; and
• Amending municipal legislation to limit their jurisdiction to taxi services only and not ride sharing.

If passed in the House of Assembly, these changes will require the same safety standards for both taxis and ride sharing providers in Newfoundland and Labrador. They will also ease some of the administrative burden to help meet demand for affordable, reliable and safe transportation services in the province. The rules for both taxi and ride sharing drivers will be the same, supporting a competitive industry that will continue to thrive.

Quotes
“Residents and visitors alike need to have the option for safe, affordable and reliable transportation to help them get where they need to go, when they need to get there. Ride sharing can help provide this, and is another viable transportation option for the province that will complement the valuable services already being provided by the taxi industry. In many other cities, in many other provinces, taxis and ride sharing services co-exist and both are able to operate successfully, and we believe there is room for both taxis and ride sharing in this province.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“We have heard from stakeholders that having a single province-wide approach to ride sharing will increase the likelihood that ride sharing services will operate in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are pleased to introduce legislation into the House of Assembly this session to provide this clarity and certainty, with modified requirements to obtain a Class 4 taxi license. The amendments we are bringing forward today are intended to help both our taxi industry and ride sharing services grow and thrive.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“It is great to see the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador take positive steps to introduce a modern province-wide legislative framework that will support safe, affordable and reliable rideshare trips. If passed, this legislation will be a great step towards welcoming ridesharing to the province. As a next step, we look forward to reviewing the regulations and remain hopeful to launch in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Michael van Hemmen
General Manager of Mobility, Uber Canada

“The St. John’s Board of Trade applauds the step that government is taking today; increasing transportation options throughout our province will generate real economic impact. The business community, including many of our members, will directly benefit from the changes being made today. Ridesharing will allow residents, visitors, and newcomers to move around our province with an increased ease and convenience. We look forward to welcoming rideshare providers to Newfoundland and Labrador.”
AnnMarie Boudreau
CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade

“Destination St. John’s is delighted to learn of the proposed amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to allow for ride sharing in the province. As we market our destination to today’s traveller, this introduction of ride-sharing helps meet our visitor’s needs and supports our efforts to provide high-quality, market-ready services. This will increase our ability to meet our visitor’s expectations in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Cathy Duke
CEO, Destination St. John’s

“Access to, from and around the province is a critical factor for tourism growth and development. Modernizing legislation to regulate ridesharing companies will enhance and complement our current transportation offerings and ensure Newfoundland and Labrador, as a destination, can offer industry standard options to the traveling public.”
Deborah Bourden
Chair, Hospitality NL

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The Department of Industry Energy and Technology will join three companies from this province in attending Grocery Innovations Canada from October 24 to 25, 2023 in Toronto.

Grocery Innovations Canada is the premier grocery and specialty food show in Canada. It gives local food and beverage producers access to over 4,500 buyers. At the event, companies explore new markets, gather product information, find suppliers, and meet one-on-one with buyers.

The Newfoundland and Labrador companies attending this year are Collaskins, Land & Sea Pets and Jumping Bean Coffee.

Quote
“Helping local companies bring their goods to new markets is one of the main focuses of this department. Exposure at trade shows for food and beverage companies is the key to marketing success, and I wish this year’s participants all the best as they connect with brokers, wholesalers and retailers in order to export more of the amazing products coming from right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Grocery Innovations Canada

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will make an announcement today (Monday, October 23) about the provincial approach for ride sharing.

The announcement will take place at the Alt Hotel St. John’s, 125 Water Street at 11:00 a.m. A technical briefing for media will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL and the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, as well as AnnMarie Boudreau, Chief Executive Officer, St. John’s Board of Trade and Cathy Duke, Chief Executive Officer, Destination St. John’s.

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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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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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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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 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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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 post Media Advisory: Minister Haggie to Attend the Professional Municipal Administrators Fall Forum in Gander first appeared on News Releases.

The post Media Advisory: Minister Haggie to Attend the Professional Municipal Administrators Fall Forum in Gander appeared first on News Releases.

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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The post Provincial Government Launches Pilot Project for Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes first appeared on News Releases.

The post Provincial Government Launches Pilot Project for Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes appeared first on News Releases.

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

Follow us on X @GovNL and @IET_GovNL

Like Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Industry, Energy and Technology NL on Facebook

The post Provincial Government to Host Delegation from Hamburg first appeared on News Releases.

The post Provincial Government to Host Delegation from Hamburg appeared first on News Releases.

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

The post Auditor General Delivers Report on Memorial University first appeared on News Releases.

The post Auditor General Delivers Report on Memorial University appeared first on News Releases.

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

The post Seniors’ Advocate Issues Statement Regarding Recent Rate Increases for Private-Paying Residents in NL Personal Care Homes first appeared on News Releases.

The post Seniors’ Advocate Issues Statement Regarding Recent Rate Increases for Private-Paying Residents in NL Personal Care Homes appeared first on News Releases.