Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will join the Honourable Judy Foote, federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement, for a fixed wing search and rescue announcement tomorrow (Tuesday, December 20).

Municipal Affairs

Seniors today enjoy improved health and greater activity. According to the National Fire Protection Association however, the rate of harm or fatalities in house fires is twice as high for seniors as it is for the general population.

Service NL

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL, will hold a media availability to discuss changes to school bus inspection regulations and the release of school bus inspection results tomorrow (Tuesday, December 20). The announcement will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the 10th Floor Boardroom, Sir Richard Squires Building, Corner Brook.

Executive Council
Municipal Affairs

The Provincial Government and the Government of Canada are safeguarding public health and helping protect the province's waterways by investing in projects to ensure that water and wastewater systems in the province are up-to-date, efficient and meet communities’ increasing capacity needs. These investments will also create jobs and lay the foundation for new economic opportunities to help strengthen the middle class across the province.

Service NL

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL, will hold a media availability to discuss changes to school bus inspection regulations and the release of school bus inspection results this afternoon (Monday, December 19).The announcement will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the 10th Floor Boardroom at the Sir Richard Squires Building.

Natural Resources

The Provincial Government has launched a searchable online database of geoscience publications on the western region of the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Provincial Government, Research & Development Corporation (RDC), Nalcor Energy, and local geoscience services company, OmniChron Associates Inc.

Service NL

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL, will hold a media availability on Monday, December 19, to discuss changes to school bus inspection regulations and the release of school bus inspection results. The event will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will attend meetings for federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Finance in Ottawa, December 18-19.

Executive Council

http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/ma/1216n04.aspx

Municipal Affairs

Children and youth are often the centre of attention during the holiday season. As families enjoy a variety of Christmas activities, they should keep fire safety top of mind.

Justice and Public Safety

While the overall number of fish-related violations in 2016 was comparable to 2015, there was a significant increase in the more serious offences. Particularly concerning for the province’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division is the dramatic increase in the types of offences which have the most detrimental impact on salmon populations. This summer, one file alone saw the seizure of 54 Atlantic salmon from an illegal net in Traverse Brook.

Health and Community Services

Residents in Labrador West will have reduced need to travel outside their community for access to routine echocardiography services, as the Provincial Government is investing $450,000 for a new ultrasound machine for the Labrador West Health Centre. The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the announcement today in Labrador City.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Bid applications are invited from communities interested in hosting upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador Games (NL Games) - 2018 (Winter), 2020 (Summer), 2022 (Winter) or 2024 (Summer).

Executive Council

Their Honours, the Honourable Frank Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Patricia Fagan, will host a Christmas Levee on Sunday, December 18, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Government House. This event is open to the general public.

Municipal Affairs

The Department of Municipal Affairs, Fire and Emergency Services (FES) has been monitoring the Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast information on an approaching weather system which is anticipated to affect the province starting this evening and lasting into Saturday. This system is forecast to approach from the southwest and bring blizzard conditions, strong winds, storm surge, large waves and pounding surf.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, will bring greetings to the Employment Transitions program graduation ceremony and announce a new employment program tomorrow (Friday, December 16)

Municipal Affairs

Short days and long, cold nights during the holiday season mark the arrival of winter in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Donovan Molloy, has released his Report A-2016-029 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. A summary of the Report is included below.

Justice and Public Safety

The Provincial Government has enacted Access to Abortion Services Regulations under the authority of the Access to Abortion Services Act, which has received Royal Assent. The act allows for the creation of safe access zones around health care facilities and the homes of health professionals and clinic owners providing abortion services in the province.

Environment and Climate Change

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.