Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and His Excellency Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, will be available to the media at 2:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, May 31).

The availability will take place in the main lobby of Confederation Building, East Block, prior to a meeting between the Premier and President.

His Excellency Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland and First Lady Eliza Reid will be in St. John’s on Wednesday, May 31 during their state visit to Canada. During their visit, President Jóhannesson will meet with business and community leaders in the oceans, fisheries and health technology sectors.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at SportNL’s 2023 Scholarship Awards Ceremony tomorrow (Wednesday, May 31).

The event will take place at the Emera Innovation Exchange, 100 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s beginning at 12:00 p.m.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today provided the following statement regarding the Federal Government’s proposed amendments to the Atlantic Accord legislation:

“Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased that the proposed legislative amendments to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act will ensure joint management of our valuable offshore wind resources and recognizes exclusive jurisdiction of waters, lying between the jaws of the land and certain coastal waters.

The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada are committed to supporting offshore renewable energy projects that have the potential to contribute towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Electrification and increasing opportunities to support decarbonization of the economy are essential to achieving these shared goals.

Our province is rich in renewable energy resources which well-position us to meet our net-zero targets, fight climate change, and to grow clean energy jobs and economic development. Our government will continue to ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the primary beneficiaries of our valuable resources.

The proposed legislative amendments to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act are significant for us as we work to develop our renewable energy offshore. They will:

• Ensure the necessary measures are in place to support offshore renewable energy opportunities;
• Allow for a fiscal regime that provides the maximum economic returns to Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Rename the C-NLOPB as the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Board and expand its mandate to become the lead regulatory body for offshore energy in the offshore area. This furthers joint-management of the offshore area and builds upon extensive expertise the C-NLOPB has in managing offshore projects; and
• Define the offshore area for offshore renewable energy that excludes areas within provincial jurisdiction, to ensure that the Provincial Government can move forward to regulate developments within provincial jurisdictional waters.

Thank you to Minister Wilkinson for his work on this important file and for being a champion for the development of renewable energy in this province and across the country. We look forward to continued collaboration.”

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The Honourable Derek Bennett, MHA for Lewisporte – Twillingate and Speaker of the House of Assembly, will attend Fire and Emergency Service Training school tomorrow (Wednesday, May 31) at the Gander Rescue Training Grounds at 10:00 a.m.

Approximately 250 volunteer firefighters will be attending training school, which runs from May 27 to June 2 in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor. The specialized courses being offered include live fire training, vehicle rescue, basic emergency management, Incident Command System and HazMat.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will attend a funding announcement for the Learning at the Museum Program tomorrow (Wednesday, May 31).

The event will take place at Level Four Boardroom at The Rooms, 9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Minister Abbott will be joined by representatives of ABC Life Literacy Canada and The Rooms.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will bring greetings at the opening ceremony for Rio Tinto IOC’s new executive office tomorrow (Wednesday, May 31).

The event takes place at 100 New Gower Street, St. John’s beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation.

Rio Tinto IOC produces high-grade, low-impurity iron ore from operations integrated across a mine and processing plant in Labrador City. The company is a joint venture between Rio Tinto, Mitsubishi and the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Corporation.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will participate in a “Beginning the Build Ceremony” hosted by The Gathering Place tomorrow (Wednesday, May 31).

The ceremony will take place at The Gathering Place (former Mercy Convent), 170 Military Road, St. John’s beginning at 9:30 a.m.

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The Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation (NLFDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Churchill as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective June 1, 2023.

With 13 years of experience within the organization and nearly two decades in the cultural industries, Ms. Churchill has demonstrated a passion for the film and television industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and a deep understanding of the local creative landscape, having played an integral role in the industry’s growth over the past decade.

As CEO, Ms. Churchill will be instrumental in further developing and implementing policies and initiatives that benefit the film and television industry in the province. She will also foster collaboration with funding agencies, government officials, film agencies, and clients, including producers and filmmakers, ensuring the NLFDC’s continued success and growth. Operating within the provisions of relevant legislation and other guidelines, she will work closely with the Chair and the Board of Directors.

The NLFDC extends its warmest congratulations to Laura Churchill on this new appointment and is confident that, with her at the helm, the organization is poised to achieve even greater accomplishments, nurturing the vibrant film and television sector in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The NLFDC is dedicated to developing and promoting the province’s film, television, and new media industry. Through funding, support, and resources, the NLFDC cultivates a thriving creative ecosystem, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and diverse stories of Newfoundland and Labrador to a global audience.

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Media contact
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact: info@picturenl.ca

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, federal Minister of Natural Resources, will deliver brief remarks and hold a media availability tomorrow (Wednesday, May 31) regarding proposed amendments to the Atlantic Accord legislation.

The event will be held at the St. John’s Convention Centre, 50 New Gower Street, second floor beginning at 10:20 a.m.

Premier Furey and Minister Wilkinson will be joined by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology and the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, federal Minister of Labour and MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl.

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will speak at the “Recycle My Electronics” program’s 10-year anniversary celebration tomorrow (Wednesday, May 31).

The event takes place at the Ever Green Recycling Depot, 79 Blackmarsh Road, St. John’s beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Minister Davis will be joined by representatives from the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, the Electronic Products Recycling Association, and students from Octagon Pond Elementary.

For a decade, the “Recycle My Electronics” program has set the standard for safe and secure electronics recycling in Newfoundland and Labrador, implementing customized recycling solutions for local businesses and residents.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at Opera on the Avalon’s 2023 Season press conference tomorrow (Wednesday, May 31).

The event will take place at the ALT Hotel, 125 Water Street, St. John’s beginning at 10:30 a.m.

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The volume of litter and debris removed from the Outer Ring Road during the latest clean-up is a reminder to the public of the need to be respectful of the environment, highway crews, and local motorists.

On Sunday, May 28, a cleanup of the Outer Ring Road between Logy Bay Road and Kenmount Road resulted in the equivalent of approximately three-and-a-half tandem dump trucks of garbage (35 cubic metres) removed from the highway. The garbage consisted of a number of household items, along with a couch, tires and metal debris from vehicles.

The 2,500 bags of garbage removed from the Outer Ring Road this weekend is approximately 500 fewer than the cleanup of the highway in October 2022, when five tandem dump trucks of garbage (50 cubic metres) was removed.

The Department of Transportation also used the closure to repair guide rails, remove graffiti painting, complete line painting and sweep interchanges.

The Provincial Government reminds everyone to dispose of their garbage and old household items in a responsible and appropriate manner. All residents have a responsibility to protect the environment and to be mindful of the safety of crews and fellow motorists.

Littering on the province’s highways is prohibited under section 163 (1) of the Highway Traffic Act. Penalties range from $100 to $500. In default of payment, an offender can face imprisonment for two to 17 days.

Quotes
“Highway safety is paramount, and litter and debris contribute to unsafe conditions on our roadways. It is incumbent on all of us to do our part to ensure that loads are properly secured. Let’s all do our part to remain vigilant in our efforts.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Keeping our highways clean is important for our environment and the safety of drivers. We all need to take the time and effort to ensure that waste is disposed of properly and does not end up on our roadways. Every action we take to keep our province clean will make a difference.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Objects falling from vehicles are extremely dangerous, especially when traveling at higher speeds. Properly secured cargo loads can prevent loose debris from striking another vehicle or obstructing a driver’s view.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will speak at the annual Energy NL Conference and Exhibition tomorrow (Tuesday, May 30).

The event takes place at the St. John’s Convention Centre, 50 New Gower Street beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Energy NL was founded in 1977 to represent the supply and service sector of the energy industry. The organization represents over 460 members worldwide which are involved in, or benefit from, the energy industry of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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A joint investment of more than $1.5 million from the Provincial and Federal Governments and the Town of Whitbourne was announced today to support water and sewer upgrades on Brigus Road in the Town of Whitbourne.

The funding will allow for water, storm and sewage system upgrades, including a new watermain, storm sewer ditching, culvert upgrades and replacement of an existing sanitary sewer lift station.

The Government of Canada is investing $611,207 in this project, while the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $764,008 and the Town of Whitbourne is contributing $152,802.

These upgrades will improve the reliability and energy efficiency of the water, storm and sewage systems, helping to create a greener community and improve climate change preparedness.

Quotes
“Updating infrastructure in our province is important to the overall well-being of our towns and communities. These types of upgrades will not only improve services for the town, but are also an important component of our ongoing efforts to mitigate climate change impacts.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Municipal infrastructure projects like the one slated for Brigus Road will have a very significant impact on the area. It will mean more modern, efficient water and sewage systems, while also focusing on climate change preparedness. I am very pleased with these upgrades and how it will positively affect the residents of my district.”
Sherry Gambin-Walsh
MHA for Placentia – St. Mary’s

“This project is a win-win for our town and we are thankful for the Federal and Provincial Government partnership in financing this project. It will complete the replacement of our 40-year-old water lines and improve our drinking water and overall community lives. We also extend a big thank you to our MHA Sherry Gambin-Walsh and our federal MP Churence Rogers for their advocacy for the project.”
Her Worship Hilda Whelan
Mayor of Whitbourne

“Creating environmentally safe and healthy communities is important in all settings, rural and urban. Work done on the water infrastructure in Whitbourne will help achieve that and will help protect against possible adverse effects of climate change. The Government of Canada will always be there to support the development and well-being of rural communities.”
Churence Rogers
Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs, today announced a change to the Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP), effective May 29, 2023.

With these changes, all residents of the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone are now entitled to the same rate for reimbursement of eligible expenses, such as airfare and accommodations, for travel to larger centres to access specialized insured medical services.

The policy change applies to all communities in the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone, which comprises the area north of Bartlett’s Harbour and Englee on the Northern Peninsula and all of Labrador.

This program enhancement is an initial step in making medical transportation assistance more responsive to the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Department of Labrador Affairs will improve medical transportation assistance by easing users of the financial and administrative burden and ensuring the program operates as effectively as possible.

On April 1, 2023, responsibility for MTAP and the Medical Transportation Program for Income Support Clients (ISMT) for all areas of the province was transferred to the Department of Labrador Affairs. Budget 2023 included an additional $1 million for program enhancements that would benefit users of the program. The assessment of policy standards, procedures, guidelines and forms is an ongoing process, and Labrador Affairs is considering other policy changes to bring forward.

For more information about the Medical Transportation Assistance Program, see the backgrounder below or call 1-877-475-2412.

Quotes
“This change in policy represents the first step in the commitment we made to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to improve the system of medical transportation assistance. As we continue to review MTAP and explore ways we can make enhancements to the program, our goal is to ease the financial burden on individuals who have no choice but to travel long distances to receive specialized insured medical services.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“Working with Labrador Affairs on behalf of my constituents to change the MTAP policy to include all residents living within the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone has been a priority for me. The change makes good sense and will ease the financial burden for residents who have to travel for medical care. I will continue to work with the health zone to advance issues of importance for residents of the district of St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows

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Medical Transportation Programs

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BACKGROUNDER

Medical Transportation Assistance Program

The Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP) provides financial assistance to beneficiaries of the Medical Care Plan (MCP) who incur substantial out-of-pocket travel costs to access specialized insured medical services which are not available in their immediate area of residence and / or within the province/country.
An airfare and accommodation application assists patients with travel expenses such as economy flights, ferries, commercial ground transportation (buses, taxis), accommodations and meal per diem for each day of eligible accommodation for the patient and medically-required escort. Patients must travel in excess of 200 km one way to the nearest health care facility in order to quality.

For residents of the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone, eligible expenses claimed in a 12-month period, such as airfare and accommodations, are reimbursed as follows:
• First $1,000 is reimbursed at 100 per cent;
• Next $3,000 is reimbursed at 50 per cent; and
• Expenses greater than $4,000 are reimbursed at 75 per cent.

For residents living in other areas of the Island portion of the province, eligible expenses claimed in a 12-month period are reimbursed as follows:
• $400 deductible on the first claim;
• The first $100 of eligible expenses in excess of $400 is reimbursed at 100 per cent;
• The next $3,000 is reimbursed at 50 per cent; and
• Any remaining eligible expenses in excess of $3,500 during the 12-month period are reimbursed at 75 per cent.

Complete information on medical transportation assistance, including how MTAP works, eligibility criteria, application and document requirements, can be accessed online.

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Today, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a number of changes within Executive of the Provincial Government.

These include:

• Greg O’Leary is appointed as Deputy Minister of Education Transformation.
• Tracy King is appointed as Deputy Minister of Education, in addition to her other duties as Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Deputy Minister of Labrador Affairs.
• John McGrath is appointed as Deputy Minister of Health and Community Services.

Bios for the appointees can be found in the backgrounder below.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Quote
“I welcome Dr. O’Leary, Ms. King, and Mr. McGrath to their new leadership roles within the public service. All three have overseen departments during times of considerable change and considerable success. I am confident that they will continue to serve the people of this province with passion and dedication, and I wish them all the best in their new roles.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of Executive Appointments Announced Today

Dr. Greg O’Leary
Dr. Greg O’Leary has over 25 years of experience in education in Newfoundland and Labrador, and has most recently served as Deputy Minister of Education. Before joining government, Dr. O’Leary carried out multiple nationally-funded studies specifically focused on education in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as projects with other Canadian experts comparing curricular frameworks, both within this country and against other jurisdictions worldwide.

Dr. O’Leary also has extensive experience in both the K-12 and university systems. He began working in the public school system in 1997 and has worked in six schools since that time. He has been a teacher and a leader in all grade levels of the K-12 system in Newfoundland and Labrador, and he is one of the few to ever hold principalships in both the public and private systems/sector in the province. He also has over a decade’s experience working at the university level, having ran and developed national scholarship and funding programs at both the University of Toronto and Memorial University, which brought significant research monies for students across all disciplines into both institutions. At Memorial University, he has also taught and trained over a thousand current teachers in this province at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Faculty of Education.  Throughout his career, he has been both an ambassador for education in the province and an advocate for change, speaking about our educational promise and potential at provincial, national and international conferences and gatherings.

Dr. O’Leary’s work around the importance of aligning curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment has been vetted and awarded three prestigious Canadian Tri- council Awards, offering possibilities for student and teacher development, as well as the development and improvement of educational outcomes broadly conceived.

Dr. O’Leary holds B.A. (Hons) and B.Ed. degrees from Memorial University, as well as an MA and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. He also completed the province’s first national post doctorate in education funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Tracy King
Tracy King is the Deputy Minister of Labrador Affairs and the Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation.  She has previously served as the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment and Deputy Minister of Transportation and Works. Prior to that, her roles included Assistant Deputy Minister, Government Renewal Initiative Secretariat, Executive Council, Assistant Secretary to Cabinet, Social Policy, and Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Planning, with the Department of Health and Community Services. Ms. King has also held a variety of policy-related positions with the Departments of Justice, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, Health and Community Services, the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat and Cabinet Secretariat.

Ms. King holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a certificate in public administration from Memorial University.

John McGrath
John McGrath began his career with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2009. Since then, he has held a number of progressively responsible positions in several departments, including Children, Seniors and Social Development, Education and Early Childhood Development, Treasury Board Secretariat and Finance. He most recently served as the Associate Deputy Minister with the Department of Health and Community Services.

Mr. McGrath is a graduate of the Chartered Accountant School of Business and has a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is an active member of both the Chartered Professional Accountants of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta. He currently sits on the board of The Chartered Professional Accountants’ Education Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, and is a recipient of the Public Service Award of Excellence.

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The Provincial Government has committed to funding for an additional 1,500 out-of-hospital cataract procedures, with the aim of improving access to this procedure and reducing wait times.

This one-time addition of 1,500 surgeries will be equally distributed throughout the province amongst the three non-hospital designated facilities. These three designated facilities (two in the Eastern Zone, one in the Western Zone) are authorized to provide out-of-hospital cataract surgery as an insured service.

These additional procedures added to the previously announced 3,300 procedures for the fiscal year 2023-24, which were announced in late September 2022. These, coupled with the procedures that can be performed in hospital facilities will further reduce the wait times and ensure access to this important surgery.

The Department of Health and Community Services recognizes that the effect that COVID-19 had cataract surgery wait times, and thus has provided several one-time increases to the cap on cataract surgery to support this backlog.

Adding additional cataract surgeries allows necessary improvements to the surgery backlog which will benefit both patients and health care professionals alike.

Quotes
“The Provincial Government is proud to provide additional funding to allow for more cataract procedures as part of our efforts to improve access to health care for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Thanks to the advocacy and dedication of my colleagues, the benefits of these province-wide initiatives will be felt across our province’s health care system.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Having additional, publicly funded, privately delivered cataract surgeries, performed under a program which has already proven itself to be incredibly successful, will be good for patients and good for our province’s universally accessible, publicly funded health care system. This innovation in health care is benefiting patients throughout the entire province.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills and MHA for Corner Brook

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, will bring greetings at the 57th annual Congress of The Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society on Monday, May 29.

The event takes place at Sheraton Hotel, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s beginning at 12:30 p.m.

The Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society is the national society of individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing atmospheric and oceanic sciences and related environmental disciplines in Canada. The society’s premier event is the annual scientific congress, which attracts hundreds of participants from across Canada and around the world.

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The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced recruitment incentives for Nurse Practitioners who commit to work within a Family Care Team in the province, with the option of an additional incentive to provide coverage for select rural emergency departments, also known as Category B emergency departments.

The incentives are based on geographic location and range from $20,000 to $40,000 for Nurse Practitioners (including new graduates, existing employees and retired employees) who commit to work within a Family Care Team for a one-year return in service with an option to extend the incentive for a second year.

With this new incentive, Nurse Practitioners who accept employment within a Family Care Team may be eligible for an additional incentive of $10,000 with a commitment to complete advanced airway management training and provide coverage in a Category B emergency department. This incentive is also renewable after one year.

Family Care Teams are multi-disciplinary teams that include Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Pharmacists and other allied health professionals. More than 29,700 residents are currently receiving care from one of the existing teams.

There are nine Family Care Teams in various stages of implementation throughout the province, with five fully operational in:

• Southeast Avalon;
• St. John’s West;
• St. John’s Centre;
• St. John’s East; and
• Stephenville.

The teams currently under development are located in:

• Coast of Bays;
• Conception Bay North
• Happy Valley Goose Bay; and
• Northern Peninsula;

Based on a needs assessment and available resources to support the team model, 10 more teams have been announced for development in 2023-24 in the following areas:

• Bonavista;
• Brookfield/Centreville area;
• Clarenville;
• Conception Bay North;
• Deer Lake-White Bay;
• Gander;
• Grand Falls-Windsor;
• Labrador West;
• Port aux Basques; and
• St. John’s.

Upon full implementation, these new Family Care Teams will provide access to primary care for up to 80,000 people.

Health Accord NL included consideration of how physicians and other health care professionals work together to meet the province’s health care needs, both in hospital and community settings. It recommended the creation of 35 multi-disciplinary teams over five years that work collaboratively to best meet the varied needs of patients and their families.

Budget 2023 includes the largest ever investment in health care, and these incentives build upon significant actions government is taking to address the current challenges facing the health care sector in the province.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services will communicate processes for these initiatives to employees in the coming days.

Quotes
“Nurse Practitioners are critical to the operations of both Family Care Teams and emergency departments in the province. We are focused on transforming the delivery of health care in our province, working collaboratively with our health professionals to meet the province’s health care needs, both in hospital and community settings. We remain committed to our recruitment and retention efforts as well, as we strive to ensure we have the workforce needed to ensure the delivery of these services.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Family Care Teams are a model of wellness, awareness and sustainability for both patients and health care providers.  It is a rewarding area in health care that positively impacts health care accessibility and outcomes for our patients and clients. These incentives for Nurse Practitioners are a positive step forward to encourage more health care workers to enter into this collaborative area of health care. The goal is to assist in recruiting nurse practitioners to provide primary health care services in difficult-to-recruit areas across the province, as well as provide increased and timely access to essential health care services for the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
David Diamond
CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

“We are pleased to see government demonstrating an acknowledgment of the vital role Nurse Practitioners play in our health care system. These incentives are much needed as part of a larger retention strategy, so we can foster an environment where Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners want to continue living and working in this province. We hope this incentive program will help address some of the challenges that our members are experiencing in areas where there is no primary health care, especially rural and remote regions. This could also help move forward the recommendations of the Health Accord. Initiatives like this are great first steps to retaining our invaluable health care professionals, as we continue to advocate for all Nurse Practitioners in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Yvette Coffey
President of Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador

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Canadians deserve to be safe in their communities. That’s why the Government of Canada has a comprehensive plan that gets guns off our streets and resources into our neighborhoods. A central part of this involves adding resources to fight crime and prevent violence from happening in the first place.

Today, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Markham-Stouffville, announced, on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Marco Mendicino, that the Government of Canada will be investing $3.57 million in programs to help stop gun crime and gang violence before it starts. The Federal Government will provide this funding over the next five years to Newfoundland and Labrador to support a variety of initiatives, including support for law enforcement and prevention programs.

The amount announced today comes from the $390 million funding announcement made on May 8, 2023. This funding builds on the success of the initial Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence, announced in 2017. This funding has been used by provinces for an array of important efforts to combat gun and gang violence. Quebec has used it for Operation Centaur, a province-wide initiative that reinforces police with specialized units, disrupts firearms trafficking and prevents crime. In British Columbia, funding supports the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia, a dedicated police agency to fight gun smuggling, drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime.

No single program or initiative can tackle the challenge of gun crime on its own. The Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence is one of many elements in the Federal Government’s plan to keep Canadians safe. This begins with strong borders, where the Federal Government has invested nearly half a billion dollars in border security, and deepened cooperation with the United States to fight gun smuggling. It also includes legislation, headlined by Bill C-21, the Federal Government’s strongest legislation combatting gun violence, and upcoming bail reform. Finally, it involves strong prevention strategies, such as the major investments announced today.

Quotes
“The safety and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is of the utmost importance. Our government is supportive of recent announcements by the Federal Government to strengthen gun control and gun safety in our country. We look forward to working with police agencies and communities to utilize this funding to build on the work being done by our government to enhance public safety in the province.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

“The safety and security of Canadians is our government’s top priority. The best way to keep people safe is to stop crime and violence before it starts. Today’s announcement will give additional resources to law enforcement, support young people in making good choices and help our communities thrive. Strong prevention strategies like these are a central pillar in our plan to ensure Canadians are safe in their communities.”
Honourable Marco Mendicino
Minister of Public Safety Canada

“Communities across the country, including here in Newfoundland and Labrador, deserve to be and feel safe. This funding of more than 3 million dollars for the province will help reduce gun violence, keep our neighborhoods secure and save lives.”
Honourable Helena Jaczek
Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Markham-Stouffville

“This funding will allow St. John’s East, along with the rest of Newfoundland and Labrador, to take proactive steps to build better, inclusive, and safer communities. With this funding being distributed at the provincial-level, we are making sure to tackle violence with a local and community-oriented lens to ensure it has the biggest impact.”
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East

“As the dedicated members of the RNC combat organized crime networks across our province, it is critical that they have the tools required to support their investigations. In recent years, we have seen our police service dismantle a firearm manufacturing operation, target drug trafficking networks, and remove illegal weapons from our communities. Together with the RCMP, we will continue to pursue and remove criminal networks and illegal weapons from our province. The Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund provides the opportunity to progress our resources in support of these efforts.”
Patrick Roche
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Police Chief

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