Government of Newfoundland News

Executive Council
Children, Seniors and Social Development

Softball player Eric Healey has been named Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2017 Canada Summer Games, taking place July 28 to August 13 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Provincial Government made the announcement during the athlete’s rally at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre (Powerplex) in St. John’s. Mr. Healey’s biography is included in the backgrounder below.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, is acknowledging that another important milestone has taken place concerning ongoing efforts to restart Wabush Mines. With approval granted under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act yesterday in Montreal, Tacora Resources Inc. has now been approved to purchase the assets of Wabush Mines, including the assignment of contracts.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will speak at the premiere of Hors Circuits, a locally produced francophone docu-fiction about Newfoundland and Labrador, today (Wednesday, June 28) at 5:00 p.m. The screening takes place at the Centre Scolaire et Communautaire des Grands-Vents, 65 Ridge Road, St. John’s.

Executive Council
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

To support the growth and diversification of one of the province’s innovation-driven businesses, the Provincial Government today announced $2.25 million over two fiscal years for a forgivable loan to PAL Aerospace to support its Force Multiplier project. The loan is forgivable contingent on the company achieving an employment target of 150 person years of employment over five years. An additional $750,000 in non-repayable funding is being provided by the Research & Development Corporation.

Executive Council
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The diverse companies and industry associations that make up Newfoundland and Labrador’s dynamic technology sector are partnering with the Provincial Government to foster private sector employment and economic growth throughout the province. The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined today by the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, and industry representatives to announce the partnership.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Research & Development Corporation advises that due to unforeseen circumstances, today’s news conference regarding the funding announcement of the Ocean Choice International Industrial Research Chair at the Fisheries and Marine Institute has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled for another time.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today provided an update on the Froude Avenue fire situation affecting a total of 36 units. Twenty tenants were displaced due to the complete loss of their unit, while others were impacted as a result of heat and smoke/water damage or power loss.

Executive Council
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will provide details about a new partnership with the provincial technology sector and announce funding support for a research and development project tomorrow (Wednesday, June 28). The news conference will take place at 10:30 a.m. at PAL Aerospace, Hangar Six, located on RCAF Road in St. John’s.

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation, will announce funding for the Ocean Choice International Industrial Research Chair at the Fisheries and Marine Institute tomorrow (Wednesday, June 28). The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Hampton Hall Lecture Theatre, Fisheries and Marine Institute, 155 Ridge Road, St. John's.

Justice and Public Safety

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, today released the report from the Commission of Inquiry respecting the death of Mr. Donald Dunphy. The commission was established to examine the facts and circumstances of the death of Mr. Dunphy and to make recommendations to avoid future tragedies such as this one.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

Graham Letto, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, will attend a meeting with the Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government in Regina, Saskatchewan, June 28 and June 29.

Children, Seniors and Social Development

The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, will announce Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s flag bearer for the 2017 Canada Summer Games at an athletes’ rally today (Tuesday, June 27) at the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre (Powerplex) on Crosbie Road in St. John’s. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

Executive Council
Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government today released its Mental Health and Addictions Plan. The Mental Health and Addictions Plan sets out short, medium and long-term goals to ensure implementation of all 54 recommendations contained in Towards Recovery: A Vision for a Renewed Mental Health and Addictions System for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to the media today (Tuesday, June 27) at 1:00 p.m. in front of the House of Assembly, East Block, Confederation Building. Premier Ball will be responding to recent public comments made by Ed Martin, former CEO of Nalcor.

Executive Council
Health and Community Services

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will release the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan tomorrow (Tuesday, June 27). Premier Ball will be joined by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, will attend meetings of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) on Monday, June 26, and Tuesday, June 27 at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon.

Health and Community Services

Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will attend the SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Run for WOMEN on Sunday, June 25. The event will take place at 115 The Boulevard in St. John’s at 8:30 a.m.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government announced today that applications are being accepted for 2017 Grants to Youth Organizations.

Children, Seniors and Social Development
Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government acknowledges the findings released by the Auditor General today on the changing demographics in Newfoundland and Labrador and recognizes the importance of a continued focus on our aging population.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will speak at a plaque dedication in honour of local musician and entertainer John White on Sunday, June 25. The event is being held by the City of St. John’s at Bannerman Park, beginning at 2:00 p.m.