Government of Newfoundland News

Municipal Affairs

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, will attend a meeting of the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management tomorrow (Friday, May 6) in Toronto.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will bring greetings on behalf of the Provincial Government tomorrow (Friday, May 6) at the opening of the Marine Advanced Technology Education Centre’s Remotely Operated Vehicle Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Competition.

Municipal Affairs

Graham Letto, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, will address a delegates’ luncheon at the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Symposium tomorrow (Friday, May 5) at Hotel Gander.

Environment and Conservation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report that the launch of the Provincial Parks Campsite Reservation Service over three days last week was a resounding success.

Advanced Education and Skills

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to extend my congratulations to the staff and students at Queen’s College on its 175th anniversary in the province.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to congratulate Johannes Lampe on becoming President of Nunatsiavut. Yesterday, Mr. Lampe was sworn in.

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, today announced that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will apply to intervene in the case of Oceanex v. Canada and Marine Atlantic to oppose Oceanex’s application to compel the federal Minister of Transport to increase Marine Atlantic’s commercial ferry rates.

Municipal Affairs

This week, May 1-7, is Emergency Preparedness Week and in light of recent events in Alberta, the Provincial Government encourages all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to be prepared in case of an emergency.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will speak at the launch of artist Bobbi Pike's new adult colouring book, Colours of Newfoundland and Labrador, tomorrow (Thursday, May 5) at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place at Chapters, 70 Kenmount Road, St. John's.

Health and Community Services

Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will join members of CHANNAL to launch the Warm Line. Mr. Davis will speak tomorrow (Thursday, May 5) at 10:30 a.m. at the CHANNAL headquarters, 284 Lemarchant Road, St. John's.

Child, Youth and Family Services

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide an update on the Waypoints Foster Family Support Pilot Project. This project, which commenced in September 2015, is a collaboration between Child, Youth and Family Services, the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association, and Waypoints.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as we think about family and friends in Fort McMurray during the devastating wildfire and resulting mass evacuation.

Environment and Conservation

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

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

During forest fire season, which began May 1 on the island portion of the province and begins May 15 in Labrador, the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency reminds people to be vigilant around outdoor fires. Residents planning to burn brush as part of spring clean-up activities should be aware of how quickly fire can spread beyond their property.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise to advise the public about forest fire season, which began on May 1 on the island portion of the province and will begin on May 15 in Labrador. The season ends September 30 on the island and in Labrador.

Municipal Affairs

Mr. Speaker, when disaster strikes, the time to prepare has already passed. To raise awareness about the importance of being prepared, May 1-7 is nationally recognized as Emergency Preparedness Week. This year's theme is Plan. Prepare. Be Aware.

Finance

Mr. Speaker, today the Provincial Government has released the transitional rules for the HST rate increase in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government knows that this has been a difficult budget for people, but the magnitude of a $1.8 billion deficit leaves this province in a very serious financial situation and this figure could have been much larger if not for our decisive actions.

Service NL

The governments of Canada's four Atlantic Provinces have completed a joint procurement process for the provision of ignition-interlock devices, in the ongoing effort work to reduce impaired driving on the region's highways.

Finance

Today the Provincial Government launched a new online calculator to provide low income residents with a user-friendly way of determining the approximate benefit they will receive from the new Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement and the enhanced Seniors’ Benefit announced in Budget 2016.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, is attending the 2016 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, from May 2 to 5.