Government of Newfoundland News

Transportation and Works

Users of the Fogo Island-Change Islands ferry service are advised that repairs to the MV Veteran are proceeding. Additional technicians and machinery have arrived in Gander and the vessel has been permitted by regulatory officials to sail, without passengers, to Farewell to finalize repairs.

Health and Community Services

In a wide-ranging set of discussions touching on many aspects of Canadians' health and health care, provincial and territorial health ministers committed to continued cooperation and collaboration across the country during a meeting this week in Vancouver.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

In an ongoing effort to ensure protection of the public and forest resources, conservation officers with the Forestry Services Branch of the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency laid more than 1,100 charges in 2015, representing an increase of over 45 per cent compared to 2014 when 600 charges were laid. Charges mainly related to illegal wood cutting, breach of forest fire regulations, illegal sawmilling, operating snowmobiles without trail passes and operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) without wearing an approved helmet. Charges were laid under The Forestry Act and Regulations and Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act and Regulations.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host the first public engagement session for the Government Renewal Initiative on Monday, January 25, in Rocky Harbour. The discussion takes place at the Fisherman’s Landing Inn from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that completion of repairs to the MV Veteran, following a small fire on board the vessel Tuesday evening, will extend beyond Friday. The MV Veteran services Fogo Island and Change Islands. Arrangements are being made for the MV Capt. Earl W. Winsor to enter service with crossings anticipated to begin on Saturday, January 23.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises users of the Bell Island ferry service that repairs to the MV Flanders are progressing well and the vessel is expected to return to service tomorrow morning (Friday, January 22).

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.

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, will be visiting two schools tomorrow (Friday, January 22) in St. John’s.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government is reiterating its commitment to work to protect the province's credit ratings. These comments are in response to a statement released today by DBRS confirming Newfoundland and Labrador’s credit rating remains at A while the trend for the province has been revised from stable to negative.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

Data Privacy Day 2016 is fast approaching. On January 28, 2016, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner joins other provinces and territories across Canada as well as other countries around the world in celebrating Data Privacy Day.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that contingency air services are in place while repairs are carried out to the MV Veteran following a small fire on board the vessel yesterday evening. The MV Veteran services Fogo Island and Change Islands. It is expected that the vessel will return to service on Friday, January 22.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will be available to media today (Wednesday, January 20) to discuss the Government Renewal Initiative. The availability will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the main lobby, East Block, Confederation Building.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will speak at the Rotary Club of Corner Brook tomorrow (Thursday, January 21). The event takes place at the Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook, at 12:30 p.m.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, will attend a meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) tomorrow (Thursday, January 21) at the Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel, Montreal.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Ten social housing units in five semi-detached buildings on Farrell Drive in Mount Pearl are getting $73,000 worth of roofing and interior upgrades. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation awarded the contract to G.S. Hunt Ltd. last fall.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, Forestry Services Branch, has achieved ISO 14001:2004 certification for its Environmental Management System, thereby positioning Newfoundland and Labrador on the leading edge of environmentally-responsible forest management.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Today is Weedless Wednesday, an annual event held during National Non-Smoking Week (January 17-23) to encourage smokers to stop smoking for one day – and to let that be the start of a process to quit smoking for good.

Executive Council
Finance

The Office of Public Engagement would like to inform residents that there is a change in venue for the Government Renewal Initiative engagement session being hosted by the Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, on Wednesday, January 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Executive Council
Service NL

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has named January 18 to 22 as Red Tape Awareness Week for 2016. This week recognizes the importance of reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses across Canada, which is a priority for the Provincial Government.

Transportation and Works

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works, will meet with the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today (Wednesday, January 20) in Halifax, Nova Scotia.