Government of Newfoundland News

Justice and Public Safety

Following investigations conducted by Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers, there have been a number of convictions in recent months related to illegal hunting activities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Incidents related to improper firearm use and storage are particularly concerning due to the significant risk to public safety.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Education and Early Childhood Development

Today the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador officially launched the Ambassador Award Program and a series of curriculum-based enhancements concentrating on Newfoundland and Labrador’s First World War story. The joint projects were developed by the Honour 100 Commemorations program and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Environment and Conservation
Municipal Affairs

The Department of Environment and Conservation honoured two municipal water operators for their services with Water Operator of the Year Awards. Dale Walsh from the Town of Bay de Verde and Harold Legge from the No’kmaq Village (Flat Bay Band) received the awards today during the 15th Annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop in Gander.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Derek Bennett, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, will participate in the second annual Find Your Fit! Community Physical Activity Challenge at Paradise Double Ice Complex today (Thursday, March 24).

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Arts and Culture Centre Pool in Corner Brook is currently closed for maintenance.

Environment and Conservation

Experts from Federal and Provincial agencies, Nalcor Energy and environmental and health consultants participated in a scientific workshop yesterday (Tuesday, March 22) with officials from the Department of Environment and Conservation – see backgrounder for a list of attendees. The workshop, titled Methylmercury and Muskrat Falls: Sharing and Understanding Our Varied Perspectives, was hosted by a facilitator with the Office of Public Engagement. The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Conservation, issued the following statement today:

Executive Council

The Provincial Government today released a What We Are Hearing document that is a themed summary of the many insights, ideas and suggestions received from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the Government Renewal Initiative public engagement to date.

Executive Council

Environment and Conservation

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has completed a scheduled review of the hunting ban on the George River Caribou Herd and announced today the ban will continue. The review included biological and population monitoring investigations as well as consultations with Aboriginal governments and organizations. Findings of the most recent classification surveys conducted in October 2015 and February 2016 show continued population decline.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board announced today that Budget 2016 will be delivered on April 14.

Municipal Affairs

Residents are encouraged to be cautious around the island’s westward facing coastlines and waterways of the Great Northern Peninsula, west coast, south coast, Burin Peninsula, and the southern Avalon Peninsula.

Health and Community Services

The regional health authorities have informed a number of individuals receiving treatment for mental illness that they have been impacted by procedural errors that occurred between October 2015 and February 2016 affecting community treatment orders (CTOs).

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.

Transportation and Works

The bridge spanning the Exploits River behind the former paper mill property in Grand Falls-Windsor will be closed to all vehicle traffic tomorrow (Wednesday, March 23) and Thursday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The bridge will remain open to pedestrian traffic.

Environment and Conservation

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this house and join with governments and organizations around the world today to recognize United Nations World Water Day.

Service NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to highlight Service NL’s new online driver licence renewal service, which enables residents to renew their licence from the convenience of their home or office. In addition to this service enhancement, Service NL has also extended the validity of driver’s licence photos from five years to 10 years for anyone over the age of 19.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to speak about Labrador’s premier sporting event, the Labrador Winter Games, which took place from March 13 to the 19 in and around Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will be available to the media to discuss the federal budget today (Tuesday, March 22) at 6:30 p.m. in front of the House of Assembly.

Environment and Conservation

Members of the media are invited to attend the 15th Annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop on Wednesday, March 23, and Thursday, March 24, at Hotel Gander.

Environment and Conservation
Municipal Affairs

Approximately 300 water system operators, municipal administrators and elected officials will gather in Gander this week for the 15th Annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop.