Government of Newfoundland News

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize March as Pharmacist Awareness Month.

Natural Resources

I rise today in this Honourable House to remember the Cougar Flight 491 tragedy which happened seven years ago on March 12, 2009.

Environment and Conservation

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

Executive Council

Today in the House of Assembly, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will introduce his government's inaugural legislation - an act to establish an Independent Appointments Commission and to require a merit-based process for various appointments. There will also be amendments made to the Public Service Commission Act to detail their work to support the Independent Appointments Commission.

House of Assembly

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Honourable Tom Osborne, announced that today the House of Assembly will acknowledge and honour those from the Dominion of Newfoundland, now Newfoundland and Labrador, who lost their lives in the First World War.

Executive Council
Advanced Education and Skills

The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation is receiving one year funding of $149,439 to enhance and improve its membership and labour force database. This is being made possible through the Labour Market Partnerships program under the Labour Market Development Agreement between the provincial and federal governments.

Executive Council

The Air Foodlift Subsidy Program (AFS), which went in to effect for retailers on the South Coast-Straits of Labrador on February 22, will remain in effect until Monday, March 14. With the resumption of regular marine service on Saturday, March 5, the AFS will be lifted in accordance with AFS policy.

Environment and Conservation
Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency, and The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today offered the following statements of condolence on the passing of Joseph O’Neill, Chairperson of the Labour Relations Agency Standing Fish Price Setting Panel

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will announce details tomorrow (Thursday, March 10) of his government's inaugural legislation - an act to establish an Independent Appointments Commission and to require a merit-based process for various appointments.

Health and Community Services

Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will speak at the annual Variety Show hosted by CHANNAL, the Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Stella’s Circle to recognize Stigma Awareness Week. The event will take place tomorrow (Thursday, March 10) at 7:00 p.m. at Gower Street United Church in St. John’s.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will speak at the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Annual Aboriginal Business Forum tomorrow (Thursday, March 10). Mawio’mi 2016 takes place 12:15 p.m. at the Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

During the third quarter of mandatory privacy breach reporting (December 1, 2015 to February 29, 2016) the OIPC received 51 privacy breach reports from 19 public bodies. This is down from the 61 reports from 21 public bodies received in the second quarter of mandatory breach reporting.

Transportation and Works

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to provide my Honourable colleagues with an update regarding early tendering for road work.

Finance

Mr. Speaker, our government knows this province is facing a difficult fiscal situation and we are focused on reshaping Newfoundland and Labrador’s fiscal future. As we continue down the road to long-term sustainability, we want to work together with our community organizations and bring clarity to their current funding arrangements.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the City of Corner Brook, and the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games committee, for their success this past week in hosting the first-ever national Special Olympic Games held in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Transportation and Works

Users of the Portugal Cove - Bell Island ferry service are reminded that temporary repair work will begin on the Bell Island ferry ramp tonight (Wednesday, March 9), following the last scheduled run for the day.

Health and Community Services

Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will be joined by officials from the Health Care Foundation and Eastern Health for the reopening of LeMarchant House, a community-based mental health centre. The event will take place tomorrow (Thursday, March 10) at 10:00 a.m. at LeMarchant House, 192 Lemarchant Road, 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 Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce business luncheon tomorrow (Wednesday, March 9) at 12:30 p.m.

Executive Council

As we open the House of Assembly for the first time in 2016, I would be remiss if I did not pause for a moment to look back 100 years to an event which shaped our province, and has been forever etched in our culture and our history.

Executive Council

Today the Provincial Government is recognizing International Woman’s Day in Newfoundland and Labrador. This year’s national theme is Women’s Empowerment Leads to Equality.