Government of Newfoundland News

The Provincial Government is requesting proposals for three parcels of farmland located in King’s Point in the central region, and near Crabbes River East in the western region.

Request for proposal guidelines for the three parcels, including overview and suitability maps of the land available for development, are available online.

The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, June 16. For more information, call 709-637-2081 or email jasonmacdonald@gov.nl.ca.

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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.

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

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

The proponent proposes to construct and operate a 16-hectare quarry located in Conception Bay South, 1.6 kilometres southeast of the intersection of Peacekeeper’s Way, off Route 60, near Seal Cove. The quarry will be used to produce aggregate materials (rock) and concrete sand for use in construction projects on the Avalon Peninsula and surrounding regions. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on May 25, 2023; the deadline for public comments is June 29, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by July 9, 2023.

UPDATED REGISTRATION SUBMITTED:

Bay Bulls-Bauline Multi-Use Trail                                                    (Reg. 2220)
Proponent: Bay Bulls-Bauline Athletic Association

The proponent is proposing to construct a 4.1 kilometre multi-use trail for recreational and physical activities, including but not limited to, ATV use, cycling, walking, hiking, and snowshoeing. The trail is to link Cape Pond Road to Horse Chops Road in addition to the trail through Cape Broyle, Calvert and Ferryland. The development is designed to be wide enough to allow pedestrians and motorized vehicles to occupy the space together. A description of the project can be found on the department’s web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The updated registration was registered on May 23, 2023; the deadline for public comments is June 29, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by July 7, 2023.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Bonavista Microbrewery                                                                          (Reg. 2239)
Proponent: Bonavista Brewing Company Inc.

The project is released 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 one year from the date of this release letter on the status of the project and provide the division with a copy of all permits, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project.  Additional updates may be required.

Crown Zone 5 Five-Year Operating Plan Amendment (2023-2027)   (Reg. 2241)        

Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture                                                                                                                                     

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

• The proponent is required to uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the project on the environment.
• All commitments made in the environmental assessment registration document for EA Reg. # 2108, Crown Zone 5 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2021-2025) as well as the conditions of release from environmental assessment noted in the minister’s letter of March 11, 2021, will also apply to this project.
• The  Wildlife Division of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires the following:
• As the area falls within Newfoundland Marten core habitat and  Newfoundland Marten are listed as Threatened under the Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act, vegetation clearing or excessive noise must not occur during the denning, breeding and brood rearing period, which runs from early-April to end of June.
• The salvage harvest in the region of CC11030 extends into what is known as the ‘Restoration30’ area for the Mount Peyton caribou population, for which the management objective is to reduce new disturbance given high levels of existing disturbance within the range. In particular, the ‘arm’ that extends into the range, where there are currently no roads. A map in the minister’s decision letter outlines the region that must be removed from the proposed harvest area.
• The proponent is required to advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met by emailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled.
• The proponent must update the Environmental Assessment Division one year from the date of this release letter on the status of the project and provide the division with a copy of all permits, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project.  Additional updates may be required.

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

Environmental assessment information is available at:

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

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_May-2023.pdf

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

Public comments may be forwarded to: EAprojectcomments@gov.nl.ca

If you submit comments on a project that is under environmental assessment, please advise the department if you DO NOT wish to share your comments with the project proponent.

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The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Education, will bring greetings at the opening of Recreation NL’s Annual General Meeting and Conference tomorrow (Friday, May 26).

The event will take place at the Quality Hotel & Suites, 100 Trans-Canada Highway, Gander beginning at 6:15 p.m.

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As the spring sitting of the House of Assembly concludes, the Furey Government is highlighting a provincial budget that focuses on transforming the health and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Budget-related legislation will also help residents with the higher cost of living and support businesses.

Early in the session “Budget 2023: Your Health. Our Priority” included a record high $3.9 billion investment in health care. This historic investment includes, among other things:

• More than $23 million for recruitment and retention of health care professionals;
• More than $21 million for 10 new Family Care Teams to provide more than 80,000 people with access to primary health care;
• $15 million for a new health information system; and
• $9 million to begin the consolidation of 60 separate road ambulance services into a single, integrated service with centralized dispatch.

The budget also included a record $1.4 billion investment in provincial roads and highways over five years, no new tax or fee increases, continued support of cost-of-living measures and support for education, businesses and communities.

In addition to the budget, important legislation advanced in this sitting will support:

Cost of Living

• Extending the 8.05 cents per litre (including HST) tax reduction on gasoline and diesel until March 31, 2024;
• Ensuring the one-time cost of living cheques were fully funded despite more than anticipated taxfilers; and
• Increasing the tax credit rate in order to double the Physical Activity Tax Credit, which will provide a refundable tax credit of up to $348 per family.

Supporting Industry and Professionals

• Increasing transparency and expanding the mandate of the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities to include the ability to consider environmentally responsible decisions in addition to lowest cost options;
• Strengthening consumer protection through a licensing framework for mortgage brokerages and brokers that reflects industry growth and change;
• Allowing architectural technologists to maintain their title, supporting their professional credentials;
• Removing barriers by allowing lawyers in good standing with the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador to witness documents virtually;
• Extending the loan guarantee for the Stephenville Airport Corporation; and
• Supporting small to medium-sized businesses by increasing the provincial payroll tax exemption threshold to $2 million.

Health Care

• Aligning the Pharmaceutical Services Act with federal legislation to remove barriers to patient access of narcotic and controlled drugs, should the patient be unable to travel or be required to travel in emergency situations; and
• Amending the Patient Safety Act to better reflect the role correctional officers play in the delivery of health care services while promoting consistency across facilities.

A full list of legislation debated and passed in this session of the House of Assembly can be found in the backgrounder below.

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“As it does each year, the Spring sitting of the House of Assembly focused on passing the provincial budget. At the same time, this session included legislative changes to maintain cost-of-living supports for the people of this province, as well as to modernize legislation to better reflect the realities of health care professionals, correctional officers, lawyers, architectural technologists and small businesses. Our government will continue to prioritize legislation that makes life easier and more affordable for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Government House Leader

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BACKGROUNDER

Legislation introduced and passed in the spring 2023 session of the House of Assembly

• Bill 21: Interim Supply Act
• Bill 23: Alternate Witnessing of Documents Act
• Bill 25: Supplementary Supply Act 2022-2023
• Bill 26: Supply Act
• Bill 27: Revenue Administration Act No. 3 (Amendment)
• Bill 28: The Loan and Guarantee Act, 1957 (Amendment)
• Bill 29: Architects Act, 2008
• Bill 30: Mortgage Brokerages and Brokers Act
• Bill 31: Patient Safety Act (Amendment)
• Bill 32: Pharmaceutical Services Act (Amendment)
• Bill 34: Electrical Power Control (Amendment) Act, 1994 and Public Utilities (Amendment) Act
• Bill 37: The Loan Act, 2023
• Bill 38: Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act and Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2000

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Since the introduction of the new Public Procurement Act in 2018, the Provincial Government has focused on ways to promote learning and networking opportunities to help support suppliers in the province. Next week, a number of public sector organizations will participate in a reverse trade show to help share information about the public procurement process in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In a reverse trade show, public bodies set up booths and suppliers are invited to meet with officials to learn about their procurement processes, as well as any upcoming opportunities. The forum also allows suppliers to connect with representatives from the public sector organizations to share information about their products and services.

The Public Procurement Agency, in conjunction with the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology and the St. John’s Board of Trade, will host the reverse trade show on Thursday, June 1 at the Sandman Hotel, 227 Kenmount Road, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Bonavista Room.

Interested suppliers can contact the Board of Trade at 709-726-2961 or www.stjohnsbot.ca/events/ to register for this free event.

Quotes
“Creating awareness of procurement processes in the province, while also creating awareness of procurement opportunities, is very important for both suppliers and public body organizations. A reverse trade show is an interesting concept that allows for the information to flow both ways, and is a win for everyone involved.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency

“A reverse trade show creates a uniquely interesting one-stop event for the supplier community to connect with the public sector buyer, identify ways to efficiently bridge supply chain gaps, and raise awareness of current and future opportunities for business partnerships. We are pleased to be the first province to host an in-person, post-pandemic showcase of this event in Atlantic Canada.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“We have such a diverse business community that has so much to offer through quality goods and services. It’s important for the public sector to understand the depth and breadth of services that can be procured locally, and this space allows both sides to come together and learn about the opportunities that exist. We look forward to facilitating valuable business opportunities and fostering new connections among our incredible industry professionals!”
AnnMarie Boudreau
CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade

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The Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, will mark a new federal agreement through the Guns and Gangs Violence Action Fund tomorrow (Friday, May 26).

The announcement will take place at the RNC Provincial Headquarters, 1 Fort Townshend, St. John’s at 11:30 a.m.

Minister Hogan will be joined by the Honourable Helena Jaczek, federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Receiver General for Canada, representing the Honourable Marco Mendicino, federal Minister of Public Safety, as well as Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Chief of Police Pat Roche.

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As part of continued efforts to improve the delivery of health services and create a more effective and efficient health care system, a Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued by Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services for leased space for an ambulatory care centre on the Northeast Avalon.

Relocating ambulatory care services to a location outside of acute care settings will improve access to same day services where overnight hospitalization is not required, such as outpatient physiotherapy, blood collection and ultrasounds.

In turn, moving ambulatory care services to a new location will:

• Decrease vehicular and foot traffic at acute care facilities, including the Health Sciences Centre;
• Enable expansion of critical inpatient services within acute care settings, such as cardiac surgery and rapid access chest pain assessment clinics;
• Increase the number of clinic spaces available to service providers, which will help reduce wait times; and
• Assist in recruitment initiatives.

A new ambulatory care centre will also help improve patient care, as the new space will be designed around sharing resources and enhancing patient flow, creating a better experience for the patient, and increasing clinical capacity to meet anticipated future demand.

The RFP requires leased space of approximately 78,000 square feet located on the Northeast Avalon. It is anticipated that the new ambulatory care clinic will open in 2025.

The RFP is in addition to the ongoing expansion of the Health Sciences Emergency Department, an RFP for space for an urgent care centre, and an RFP for consulting services for a new community mental health and addictions centre on the Northeast Avalon.

Information on RFPs and tenders issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.

Quotes
“This is another step we are taking to improve the way health care services are delivered on the Northeast Avalon. Providing ambulatory care at a separate location will also help ease pressures on the emergency department at the Health Sciences Centre. We feel that this will improve the overall experience of patients and staff, as well as contribute to ongoing retention and recruitment initiatives.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“The demand for ambulatory care services in the Northeast Avalon is expected to increase substantially in the coming years. Relocating ambulatory services to a stand-alone space will help increase timelier access to hospital services for our patients, improve flow of patients through the Health Sciences Centre and St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, and provide us with additional space to care for our patients.”
Dr. Gregory Browne
Chief of Staff – Eastern Urban, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

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Learn more
Provincial Government Seeking Consultants for New Community Mental Health and Addictions Centre

Minister Osborne Announces Planned Urgent Care Centre for Northeast Avalon

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

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The Torrent River Bridge has been closed to all vehicle traffic until further notice. The bridge is located on the Torrent River Forest Access Road near the community of Hawke’s Bay.

The closure is required due to a risk to public safety, resulting from recently discovered damage to the bridge.

Signage has been posted at the intersection of Torrent River Forest Access Road and Route 430, the intersection of Torrent River Forest Access Road and Farm Road, and barricades have been erected at the bridge site.

For additional information, please contact the Port Saunders Forest Management District Office at 709-861-3502.

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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador Retriever as originating in Newfoundland and Labrador, and as an essential part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s historical and cultural heritage.

Both the Newfoundland dog and Labrador Retriever have existed in this province for many years. The Maritime Archaic had dogs as discovered in graves at Port au Choix by Professor James Tuck and carbon dated around four thousand years ago. The first mention of dogs to the province in historical documents is known as early as 1620.

Newfoundland dogs are considered the best for their water rescuing abilities and are used around the world. The dog is a symbol of our province and the subject of many stories and legends based on the breed’s bravery and loyalty. Originally, Newfoundland dogs and Labrador Retrievers hauled fishing nets to shore and then pulled the day’s catch to market by cart.

The Labrador Retriever is among the top breeds that work as service, rescue and therapy dogs. The breed is also successful in scent detection work, including the ability to detect health issues in humans. Known for being even tempered and gentle, they have long been the number one in breed registrations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Quotes
“There are four breeds currently recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club as uniquely Canadian: the Newfoundland dog, the Labrador Retriever, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and the Canadian Inuit Dog. Today, our government recognizes not only the cultural significance of the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador Retriever, but we also recognize them as originating in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance

“Recognition of these breeds is important, not only for those who value the broader social and cultural history of Newfoundland and Labrador, but for those, in particular, who cherish the two dog breeds so integral to the settlement and development of our province. Over the many years I have researched the history of the Labrador Retriever and Newfoundland dog, I have been struck not only by how important a part these dogs played in helping our ancestors survive, but by how our breeds reflect the virtues which we as a culture value: hard work, devotion to family, generosity of spirit. Like our people, our dogs are ‘salt of the earth’, always ready for a bit of fun, strong in defense of the people and places they love. There is nothing false or superficial about either our people or our dogs. What you see is what you get! Little wonder these dogs are so popular and beloved throughout the world. They are our gift to the world, but they are ours!”
Michael J Woods, PhD

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Learn more
Meet Canada’s Dog Breeds | CKC

Beau, the Labrador Retriever, and Night, the Newfoundland dog, met with the Premier today. From left to right: Caitlin O’Brien-Dyke, Pamela Squires, Pat Coady, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, and Rob Crosbie. Night, the Newfoundland dog, and Beau, the Labrador Retriever, visited the House of Assembly. From left to right: Rob Crosbie, Speaker Derek Bennett, Pat Coady, Pamela Squires, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, and Caitlin O’Brien-Dyke.

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The following is being distributed at the request of The Council of Atlantic Premiers:

Atlantic Premiers call on the Federal Government to delay implementation of new Clean Fuel Regulations until a plan can be developed to address the disproportionate impact of the regulations on Atlantic Canadians.

The Council of Atlantic Premiers met virtually yesterday with the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Steven Guilbeault, to discuss these issues.

As the July 1 implementation date of the federal Clean Fuel Regulations approaches, Atlantic Premiers remain concerned about the detrimental and disproportionate impact they will have on Atlantic Canadians. Together with the carbon tax increase also scheduled for July 1, an increase in the cost of gasoline and diesel is anticipated. These increases will further add to inflationary pressures that will increase the costs of other goods imported to the region.

The Atlantic provinces have been working collaboratively with the Federal Government to invest in innovative clean technologies to accelerate the development of renewable energy, reduce emissions, and ensure a supply of clean and affordable energy products for Atlantic Canadians.

Premiers noted that Atlantic Canada has been a leader in climate action, and is prepared to work in partnership with the Federal Government to attain shared objectives of greenhouse gas emission reductions without adding to the inflationary pressures already facing Atlantic Canadians.

Premiers are concerned by the uncertainty the new regulations may create and were disappointed that the federal minister has not provided clarity on the impact of the Regulations on fuel prices and fuel supplies, despite acknowledging there will be a disproportionate impact to Atlantic Canadians.

Atlantic Premiers are encouraged by the minister’s commitment to work with them to address concerns expressed by producers and consumers in the region. They look forward to positive results being confirmed within the next two weeks by the Federal Government to ensure these measures do not place an unfair burden on Atlantic Canadians.

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Les premiers ministres demandent au gouvernement fédéral de proroger la mise en œuvre du Règlement sur les combustibles propres 

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Speaker, there are four breeds currently recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club as uniquely Canadian: the Newfoundland dog, the Labrador Retriever, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and the Canadian Inuit Dog.

Both the Newfoundland dog and Labrador Retriever have existed in this province for many years. The Maritime Archaic had dogs as discovered in graves at Port au Choix by Professor James Tuck and carbon dated around four thousand years ago. The first mention of dogs to the province in historical documents is known as early as 1620.

Newfoundland dogs are considered the best for their water rescuing abilities and are used around the world. The dog is a symbol of our province and the subject of many stories and legends based on the breed’s bravery and loyalty. Originally, Newfoundland dogs and Labrador Retrievers hauled fishing nets to shore and then pulled the day’s catch to market by cart.

The Labrador Retriever is among the top breeds that work as service, rescue and therapy dogs. The breed is also successful in scent detection work including the ability to detect health issues in humans. Known for being even tempered and gentle, they have long been the number one in breed registrations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador Retriever as originating in Newfoundland and Labrador and are an essential part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s historical and cultural heritage.

Thank you.

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Applications for the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership are available on the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture website.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5 billion initiative that aims to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agrifood and agri‐based products sector. Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture sector will have access to nearly $43 million in cost-shared federal-provincial funding.

Key priorities of the partnership include a focus on:

• Climate change and environment;
• Science, research, and innovation;
• Market development and trade;
• Building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness; and
• Resiliency and public trust.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership builds on the success of the $37 million, five-year Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which has funded more than 700 agricultural initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador since 2018.

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As a result of a technical issue, there is a delay in updating the Newfoundland and Labrador COVID-19 Dashboard. It is anticipated that the dashboard will be updated by the end of this week.

The latest data for the recent COVID-19 reporting period (May 7, 2023 – May 20, 2023) is available below. The Department of Health and Community Services anticipates regular updates to resume Wednesday, June 7.

COVID-19 Activity Report – Reporting period: weeks 19 and 20, May 7, 2023 – May 20, 2023

New Hospitalizations: 15
New Critical Care: 8
New Deaths: 1
Vaccination*: 23.0%

New Hospitalizations by RHA

Regional Health Authority # of New Hospitalizations Central Health Authority 5 Eastern Health Authority 8 Labrador-Grenfell Health Authority 0 Western Health Authority 2

 

Total Deaths by RHA

Regional Health Authority # of Deaths Central Health Authority 98 Eastern Health Authority 178 Labrador-Grenfell Health Authority 11 Western Health Authority 58

 

Total Deaths by Age Group

Age Group # of Deaths <20 years 1 20-29 years 0 30-39 years 1 40-49 years 4 50-59 years 18 60-69 years 39 70-79 years 108 80+ years 174

 

Vaccination Rates by Age Group (%)

Age Group % Meeting Vaccination Criteria* 6 mos-4 years 7.7% 5-11 years 7.3% 12-19 years 7.9% 20-29 years 7.1% 30-39 years 10.6% 40-49 years 14.8% 50-59 years 21.9% 60-69 years 37.3% 70-79 years 56.3% 80+ years 58.8%

 

Cases by Day

Report day # of Cases May 7 5 May 8 7 May 9 5 May 10 9 May 11 6 May 12 10 May 13 2 May 14 4 May 15 3 May 16 1 May 17 5 May 18 6 May 19 11 May 20 1 TOTAL 75

* Vaccination coverage is defined as those who have completed a primary series of Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccines (2 doses) and/or at least one booster on or after September 21st 2022.

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The Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, today delivered a performance audit of the Food Premises Inspection and Licensing Program to the House of Assembly. The audit reports on findings and recommendations regarding whether the program has effective management, monitoring, and oversight by the Departments of Health and Community Services and Digital Government and Service NL. The audit period was April 2019 through December 2021.

The audit concluded that the Department of Health and Community Services did not maintain proper oversight of the program, while the Department of Digital Government and Service NL did not effectively manage some aspects of the program’s operations, possibly increasing the overall risk to public health.

Health and Community Services’ policies and guidelines were found to be outdated with no established oversight processes beyond the requirements for Digital Government and Service NL to submit annual reports, which were not received during the audit period.

It was also concluded that there were no established processes to ensure policies and guidelines set out by Health and Community Services were followed by Digital Government and Service NL, with a Memorandum of Understanding between the two departments having not been updated since 1999.

The audit full report, as well as an audit overview, can be found by visiting: www.ag.gov.nl.ca.

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“Each year one in eight Canadians are affected by a foodborne illness. It is essential that the province’s Food Premises Inspection and Licensing Program is effectively managed to ensure food premises are complying with legislation in order to reduce the instances of foodborne illness and protect public health and wellness. I am concerned that remote areas of the province were susceptible to extended periods without inspections; that public complaints were not handled in accordance with policy; and that the Memorandum of Understanding between the departments is both outdated and not adhered to. These factors may have made it difficult for both departments to fulfill their roles, possibly resulting in the program not being implemented in a way that aligns with health standards.”
Denise Hanrahan
Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will bring greetings at the grand opening of Fort Amherst Healthcare’s Adult Day Program “The Neighbourhood” tomorrow (Thursday, May 25).

The opening takes place at Bishops Gardens Senior Living, 190 Pennywell Road, St. John’s beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The Neighbourhood is a drop-in accessible Adult Day Program that provides affordable social and recreational programming and personal care support in a safe and friendly environment.

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

Speaker, I am proud to tell you about a group of enterprising students who have earned the right to compete next month at an international competition in Colorado.

The Shark Tech team at Labrador Straits Academy placed second overall in a provincial competition, hosted by Marine Institute – an incredible achievement for a small school of fewer than 150 students. Competing against larger schools in the province, 10 students from L’Anse au Loup spent more than 1,200 hours designing and building a remotely operated vehicle.

This Labrador school and Mount Pearl Senior High are the two teams that will represent Canada on the world stage, competing against teams from Indonesia, California, New England, Hong Kong and other places around the globe. This is the first team from Labrador to qualify for an international robotics event, but even more remarkably, the first team to advance from a regional competition in their first year of competition.

This accomplishment is the result of the dedication and commitment of students and teachers, as well as the unfailing support of parents and community.

I ask members of this Honourable House to join me in congratulating the students from Labrador Straits Academy. As you prepare to leave your tiny corner of Labrador and put your talents up against the best in the world, we want you to know that the Big Land – and the entire province – is rooting for you.

 

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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:

Speaker, on March 21, two Transportation and Infrastructure employees at Cold Brook Depot, Mr. Roland Beanland and Mr. John Tobin, were conducting a regular road condition check on Route 460 when they came upon a vehicle that had sustained major damage. They subsequently found a young man still seated behind the wheel, and soon learned the vehicle had hit a moose and, while the driver was conscious, he was not coherent.

The men called 911 and proceeded to get the vehicle out of harm’s way. While they waited for emergency services to arrive, the two men – along with the assistance of another passerby – attended to the young man. At times, they thought they had lost him, but they continued their efforts to keep him conscious and alive.

The next day, they learned the young man had sustained serious injuries. The doctor stated it was most likely their efforts that kept him alive.

Speaker, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to these employees for their courageous efforts. It is not always recognized that our public service employees – who are on our roadways in every region of our province as part of their daily work – sometimes play the role of first responder until help arrives.

I ask all members to rise and thank Mr. Roland Beanland and Mr. John Tobin for their valiant efforts in helping to save a life.

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Today, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) of Newfoundland and Labrador released an Investigation Report into the 2021 cyberattack on the provincial health authorities.

The province has received the Investigation Report and will review the key findings and recommendations and provide a formal response to the Privacy Commissioner’s Office.

In response to this attack, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador activated the provincial Emergency Operations Centres, along with the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information and the four Regional Health Authorities to contain and mitigate system impacts, while continuing to provide health care services. The appropriate authorities were notified, including the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the OIPC, with additional external cybersecurity experts along with the Government of Canada engaged to provide advice and assist with efforts to contain, investigate, and safely restore health care systems.

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“We are pleased the OIPC found that the province took reasonable steps to investigate and contain the cyberattack. This was a complex cybersecurity incident, but we are confident that reasonable security steps have already been taken – and are being taken – to mitigate the risk of a potential future incident. We will continue to engage leading experts in cyber security and work with the new amalgamated provincial health authority and other partners as part of our continuing commitment to strengthen the privacy protection for personal health information of residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

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The post Provincial Government Response to OIPC Investigation Report appeared first on News Releases.

To view the Report in its entirety, please go to www.oipc.nl.ca/reports/commissioner.

Report: P-2023-001/PH-2023-002 Report Date: May 23, 2023 Public Body: Provincial Health Authority and Department of Health and Community Services. Summary: The investigation by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) into the October 2021 cyber attack on the provincial health system is now complete. The Investigation Report may be found on our web site at www.oipc.nl.ca under “What’s New” or click on “Reports” and navigate to “PHIA Privacy Reports” or “ATIPPA Privacy Reports.”

The Report was issued by Sean Murray, Director of Research and Quality Assurance, acting in the role of Commissioner’s Delegate, in accordance with the authority delegated to him by Commissioner Michael Harvey under section 103 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and section 80 of the Personal Health Information Act.

The Report contains 34 findings and six recommendations. All six recommendations are directed to the new Provincial Health Authority.

The Report found that significant cyber security vulnerabilities existed for some time prior to the cyber attack, that these vulnerabilities were known within the Centre for Health Information when it took over responsibility for cyber security from the Regional Health Authorities, and that the Department was informed in 2020, over a year prior to the cyber attack, that a threat assessment rated the chances of a cyber attack as “high” and the impact of such an event as “high.”

Efforts to reduce these vulnerabilities prior to the cyber attack were inadequate. The resulting cyber attack was the largest privacy breach ever experienced in this province, which saw the personal health information or personal information of the vast majority of our population taken by malicious threat actors. It was also one of the largest ransomware attacks in Canada to date.

The Report found that the Centre for Health Information took reasonable steps in investigating the cause of the cyber attack and attempting to contain the privacy breach. Many, but not all of the steps taken to notify affected individuals were reasonable. The Department took a leading role in what information would be disclosed and when, and it did not provide an adequate response to our questions to justify the delay in publicly disclosing certain details about the cyber attack.

The havoc caused by the cyber attack is not the end of the story. Since the date of the attack, substantial effort has been expended by the Centre for Health Information (now part of the new Provincial Health Authority) through a series of projects called Breakwater, which has significantly enhanced cyber security for our provincial health information systems. Our Report concludes that reasonable cyber security steps have been taken since the cyber attack, and work is continuing in order to mitigate the risk of a future cyber attack, and to reduce its impact should one occur.

Mr. Murray commented: “Cyber security is and will continue to be an ongoing arms race with organized crime as well as state-sanctioned actors who will not only attempt to extort us and breach our privacy, but also cause us to incur significant costs and harm actual health care delivery and other public services and critical infrastructure, potentially putting lives at risk. It’s nothing less than a matter of national security and needs to be treated as such going forward.”

Among the six recommendations, one is that the Breakwater projects be appropriately resourced and implemented within the time frame outlined in the plan, with the goal of ensuring that cyber security across the provincial health information system meets internationally accepted cyber security standards. “Bolstering security in the short term only to see it lag again over the medium to long term will see us just as vulnerable as we were in 2021, and that is not an acceptable option.”

Another recommendation is that the Provincial Health Authority create a Chief Privacy Officer position. Other recommendations focus on notification and information management policies.

Mr. Murray commented, “They say never waste a crisis, and indications are good so far that important lessons have been learned. However, those lessons must be fully integrated into the underlying philosophy and operational mandate of the entire health care system, not only in word, but in deed. There will be financial costs of course, but there are even greater financial costs if we fail. Failure would also mean the incalculable cost of losing public trust in our health care system, which has certainly taken a hit with this cyber attack. I hope this Report, by shedding light on the 2021 cyber attack and how our health care organizations responded to it and are working to prevent future such attacks, will help to restore some of that public trust.”

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Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research and Quality Assurance
709-729-6309
commissioner@oipc.nl.ca

Background:
Commissioner Harvey recused himself from the cyber attack investigation on March 21, 2023, in response to a court application by government seeking to remove him from the investigation due to allegations of reasonable apprehension of bias based on Commissioner Harvey’s executive position with the Department of Health and Community Services prior to his appointment as Commissioner. While he rejected the allegations as unfounded, he nevertheless delegated responsibility for the investigation and issuance of the Report to Mr. Murray because of the delay that would have resulted from having the matter heard in court.

The post Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report P-2023-001/PH-2023-002 Released appeared first on News Releases.

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, in partnership with the Association for New Canadians, announced more than $11 million for a suite of housing and employment supports to assist Ukrainians to settle and raise families in Newfoundland and Labrador. This announcement, to support the nearly 2,800 Ukrainians in the province, includes additional housing supports and the new Ukraine Job Connect initiative to support employers in hiring Ukrainians and boost the province’s overall employment.

Housing and settlement supports being offered to Ukrainians include:

• Launching an innovative, province-wide homestay hosting program. Approved host families will receive $1,000 monthly for up to five months for hosting Ukrainians;
• Moving expense assistance of $2,000 for Ukrainians leaving temporary accommodations who are moving to leased accommodations in the St. John’s Census Metropolitan area, $4,000 for outside the St. John’s area, and $6,000 for Labrador;
• A $3 million call for proposals for innovative housing projects for Ukrainians, such as:
• Repurposing vacant property;
• Housing repair and maintenance assistance; and
• Co-housing initiatives; and
• Expanding access to conversational English classes and workplace-based English support for Ukrainians.

The Association for New Canadians continues to compile a database of available housing throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Homeowners with vacant properties can register their housing with the Association for New Canadians by contacting ukraine@ancnl.ca or 709-325-0881.

Staff at the Provincial Government’s Regatta Plaza Employment Centre in St. John’s, and the Association for New Canadians, are together offering targeted employment services to Ukrainians. Through the new Ukraine Job Connect, staff are working with Ukrainian newcomers by connecting them to employers looking to fill vacancies. These services are also available at all 19 employment centres throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Ukrainian job seekers can visit the webpage for more information.

Employment supports offered by Ukraine Job Connect include:

• A 42-week wage subsidy (up to $12 per hour for eligible employers); 70 per cent for first 14 weeks, 60 per cent for second 14 weeks; and 80 per cent for third 14 weeks);
• Short-term training to connect to employment (e.g., preparing for work in building sector, retail or restaurants);
• Matching qualified Ukrainians to employers looking to fill vacancies;
• Assistance with credential assessment, language training and immigration; and
• Helping employers with settlement services and cultural competency training.

Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022, about 700 Ukrainians have arrived on four Provincial Government sponsored airlifts and nearly three times that number have arrived by their own means, with more arriving weekly. The Association for New Canadians has helped 1,600 Ukrainians secure permanent housing throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. More than 280 employers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have hired almost 600 Ukrainians.

Unlike all Federal Government-Assisted Refugees, Ukrainians arriving here are not eligible for a full-year of federal income support and do not have instant permanent residency status. This leaves Ukrainians especially vulnerable and in dire need of both full-time employment and permanent housing.

For information on employment supports and programs available for citizens and permanent residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, please see attached backgrounder.

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“More than twice the number of Ukrainians we brought here by airlifts are now in permanent housing and nearly the same number are working, but we aren’t stopping there. If we want Ukrainians families to ‘set roots’ and become Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we must do more to give them access to the same generous supports that we enjoy. Today’s announcement of $11 million in employment and housing supports, delivered in partnership with the Association for New Canadians, is a major step forward to achieving that goal.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“The Association for New Canadians is delighted to collaborate with the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills on these innovative employment and housing initiatives. This generous funding will go a long way in supporting the settlement and employment goals of Ukrainians living in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Megan Morris
Executive Director, Association for New Canadians

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BACKGROUNDER

Employment Supports for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians

This announcement is a step towards providing Ukrainian newcomers an equivalent level of employment and skills development supports that are already available to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Budget 2023 provided an investment of $140 million for 15,000 workers and 2,500 employers for recruitment, retention and skills development to meet an ever-evolving demand for labour. This federal funding, provided through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Development Agreement also assists underrepresented groups, such as women, persons with disabilities, youth and newcomers to secure employment.

• Annual investments include:
• • $2.6 million for over 300 employers to train over 3,600 individuals to get the skills they need;

• • $47 million to assist 3,800 people get training to connect them with employment; and

• • $14 million to connect 1,000 employees to employers through wage subsidies.
• Programs include:
• • Wage subsidies that fund employers to create sustainable long-term or seasonal employment. Funding helps offset salary costs to create new positions;

• • The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Job Grant to help with the cost of training existing or future employees;

• • The Labour Market Partnership Program, which supports employers to develop and implement strategies and activities to deal with labour force adjustments and meeting human resource demands. The program also provides assistance for employed persons who are facing loss of employment;

• • Work-Related Disability Supports to provide persons with disabilities work-related supports to assist with seeking or maintaining employment;

• • Skills Development program for those seeking full-time post-secondary training; and

• • Student Summer Employment program that assists private sector businesses and non-profit groups create summer employment for post-secondary and high-school students.

Job seekers interested in availing of employment and training supports can visit this webpage for more information.

Employers looking to use wage subsidies to hire or grants to train their employees can visit this webpage for more information.

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