Government of Newfoundland News

Environment and Climate Change

Registration is now open for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman fall workshop. Taking place at the Lion Max Simms Camp, Bishops Falls, the workshop will be offered October 21-23, 2016, with skilled instructors teaching sessions in archery, trapshooting, fly casting, outdoor survival, trail running and wildlife sketching.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is recognizing World Teachers’ Day today (Wednesday, October 5) to help celebrate the dedication of teachers and educators. World Teachers’ Day was initiated by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) in 1994.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to the media during the inaugural Premier’s Forum on Local Government today (Wednesday, October 5) at 12:30 p.m. at the Delta St. John’s Hotel and Conference Centre, 120 New Gower Street, St. John’s. The Premier will be joined by the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Executive Council
Children, Seniors and Social Development

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and the Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, presented the Seniors of Distinction Awards to five seniors at a ceremony earlier today in St. John’s. The awards celebrate the contributions, achievements and diversity of older persons throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Finance
Children, Seniors and Social Development

To support low income seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities, the first payment for the new Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement, as well as the enhanced Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors’ Benefit, will be issued this week. Direct deposit payments will be made on October 5, the same day cheques will be sent in the mail. These programs are part of a $76.4 million investment in Budget 2016.

Executive Council

Tourism continues to be one of the world’s fastest-growing economic sectors and it is of strategic importance to Atlantic Canada. It supports 9,600 businesses and provides full-time equivalent employment to 57,000 Atlantic Canadians. Statistics Canada’s International Travel Survey indicates Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP) marketing efforts are paying dividends. Between 2012 and 2014 overnight international arrivals to Atlantic Canada increased by 8.9 per cent and revenues grew by 15.8 per cent, and preliminary estimates indicate positive growth from U.S. and overseas visits to the Atlantic Provinces in 2015 and 2016.

Executive Council
Children, Seniors and Social Development

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will present the eighth annual Seniors of Distinction Awards today (Tuesday, October 4). The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 411 Stavanger Drive, St. John's.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will speak at the opening of Wooden Boat Heritage 2016, hosted by the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador tomorrow (Tuesday, October 4). The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Johnson GEO CENTRE on Signal Hill Road in St. John’s.

Executive Council
Health and Community Services
Education and Early Childhood Development

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is joining individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder to recognize October as Autism Awareness Month.

Executive Council
Municipal Affairs

On Saturday, October 1, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs, along with Scott Reid, MHA for St. George’s - Humber, and other provincial, federal and municipal representatives celebrated the grand opening of the Pasadena Place recreation facility. This new facility offers benefits to residents, and will serve as a place for people to exercise, get healthy, and spend time with their family and friends.

Environment and Climate Change

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Change, will participate in the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment meeting on Monday, October 3, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will take place at the Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain, 1 Place du Canada, in Montreal.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Derek Bennett, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will speak at the official kick-off of Kids Eat Smart Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. The event takes place on Monday, October 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Rennie's River Elementary, 150 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John's.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will join representatives from the Town of Pasadena to celebrate the grand opening of the new Pasadena Place recreation facility tomorrow (Saturday, October 1). Premier Ball will be joined by Scott Reid, MHA for St. George’s - Humber at the event.

Municipal Affairs

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs, today announced funding for a new firefighting vehicle for the Town of McIvers. The new vehicle will improve the community’s capacity to deliver fire and emergency services to residents and businesses.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

Dennis Hogan has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Workplace NL effective October 2, 2016. Mr. Hogan’s appointment followed the legislated merit-based appointment process carried out by the Independent Appointments Commission. He replaces Leslie Galway, whose contract with Workplace NL concludes October 1.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will speak at the Association of Early Childhood Educators’ Regional Child Care Conference tomorrow (Saturday, October 1) at College of the North Atlantic Gander Campus, Magee Road. The minister will speak at approximately 9:45 a.m.

Justice and Public Safety

Sandra. R. Chaytor, QC, and Kate O’Brien have been appointed as co-counsel for the Commission of Inquiry Respecting the Death of Donald Dunphy, the Honourable Justice Leo Barry, Commissioner of the Inquiry, announced today.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Colin Holloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will speak at the Southern Avalon Tourism Association Annual General Meeting tomorrow (Saturday, October 1). The event will take place at the Celtic Rendezvous Cottages, Bauline East, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Health and Community Services

Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will speak at the third annual Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Walk tomorrow (Saturday, October 1). The event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Queen's College Building, Memorial University, St. John’s.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will address the Newfoundland and Labrador Operating Room Nurses Association Conference tomorrow (Saturday, October 1) at Hotel Gander, 100 Trans-Canada Highway. The minister will speak at 8:30 a.m.