Government of Newfoundland News

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

With the consultation phase of the Lands Act review complete, the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, today released a “What We Heard” document. The report is available at www.miga.gov.nl.ca/lands/lands_act.html.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works is reminding motorists that the Outer Ring Road between Logy Bay Road and Portugal Cove Road will be closed this Sunday, June 14, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The closure is required to enable clean-up efforts.

Transportation and Works

Amendments introduced today to the Works, Services and Transportation Act propose increased fines for parking violations on Provincial Government parking lots. Current $10 parking violations will increase to $25, while the current $20 violations will increase to $50.

Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation advises the public that a 900 metre section of the Newfoundland and Labrador T'Railway Provincial Park between the Griffin Drive Walking Trail and St. Aidens Road, Corner Brook, is closed to all pedestrian, ATV, and vehicular traffic effective immediately.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Tom Hedderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Acting Minister of Education, will speak at Achievement Night 2015, celebrating the achievements of participants in academic programs offered at the Murphy Centre. The event will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, June 10) at the CLB Armoury, 82 Harvey Road, St. John’s, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Transportation and Works

The tender for enhancements to the wharf at Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s to accommodate the new 80-metre ice class ferry the MV Legionnaire has closed.

Transportation and Works

Mr. Speaker, I stand in this Honourable House today to provide an update on the continued maintenance, enhancements, and construction of bridges across Newfoundland and Labrador. I am pleased to report that through significant investments, over the past three years alone 23 bridges have been replaced and repairs have been made to 40 other bridges throughout the province.

Health and Community Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize National Blood Donor Week and the valuable work of Canadian Blood Services. This week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible generosity of blood donors across the country and here in Newfoundland and Labrador for their lifesaving contributions.

Health and Community Services

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to participate in the ongoing dialogue related to the establishment of a national universal pharmacare program. The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, met with provincial and territorial counterparts, academics, advocates and other national and international experts in Toronto yesterday for a roundtable event to advance the national discussion regarding pharmacare.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The East Coast Trail Association has received $362,055 to support long-term sustainability efforts, market development activities and trail improvements. Funding will support new trail signage, expanded parking, improved marketing initiatives, as well as improved trail mapping. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs and MHA for Ferryland, made the announcement during the opening celebrations of the 15th Annual Tely Hike in support of the East Coast Trail this past Saturday, June 6, in Mobile.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will attend the Internal Trade Renewal Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto tomorrow (Tuesday, June 9). The Provincial Government will fully participate in the round of internal trade negotiations being held from June 9 to 12.

Transportation and Works

The Provincial Government is calling the tender for enhancements to Route 440, also referred to as the North Shore Highway or Riverside Drive on the west coast. Work on the highway is anticipated to commence this summer.

Child, Youth and Family Services

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize the annual Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association symposium which took place in St. John’s this past weekend.

Environment and Conservation

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize a number of this province’s environmental leaders.

House of Assembly

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Honourable Wade Verge, announced that the House of Assembly Management Commission will hold its next meeting at 5:00 p.m. today (Monday, June 8).

Executive Council
Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today released the report of the Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission related to the review of the province's electoral boundaries and a reduction in the number of electoral districts from 48 to 40. The report, due by June 9, was provided to the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, this morning and will be tabled in the House of Assembly later today.

Executive Council
Natural Resources

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was in Baie Verte on Friday night, June 5, to deliver the keynote address at the opening of the 28th annual mining conference hosted by the Baie Verte and Area Chamber of Commerce.

Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial and Federal Governments, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, are investing a total of $740,000 toward the ongoing revitalization of 24 social housing properties in the Rabbittown area of St. John’s. The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today at the Rabbittown Community Centre in St. John’s.

Executive Council
Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to discuss the work of the Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission today (Monday, June 8). The availability will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building. Premier Davis will be joined at the news conference by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, will participate in a Minister’s Roundtable on National Pharmacare Monday, June 8, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto. The meetings will take place in the Provincial North Room from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (NL time).