Government of Newfoundland News

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, will speak at the opening of the Peace by Piece exhibition today (Friday, May 13) at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place at Jack Bryne Arena in Torbay.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, is providing additional details today of a $3 million increase in the existing fuel supplement for Income Support recipients to heat their homes and residences. This is in addition to the announcement in Budget 2016 which includes an annualized investment of $63.7 million to assist the most vulnerable residents impacted by budget revenue measures.

House of Assembly

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Speaker of the House of Assembly, announced that the Members' Compensation Review Committee was appointed by resolution of the House of Assembly today (May 12, 2016), with an effective date of July 7, 2016. The committee will be chaired by Sandra Burke. The other committee members are Kathy LeGrow and Jeffrey Pardy.

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.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Granite Lake Forest Access Road, located south of Millertown, will be restricted to light vehicle traffic (vehicles less than five tonnes) effective tomorrow (Friday, May 13) until further notice.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Innovation Week, a series of events dedicated to the advances being made in Newfoundland and Labrador’s technology sector, is being held this week. During Innovation Week, the department will shine a spotlight on some of the innovative companies that are experiencing success and providing economic benefit to the province and its people. This includes Resource Innovations Inc. a Corner Brook based organization that recently received a Provincial Government investment of $33,750 to assist with the implementation of a new five-year marketing plan.

Finance

The Auditor General today released his 2015 Update Report to provide the status of recommendations he made for implementation. The report includes the status of recommendations for 2012 related to departments and Crown agencies.

Office of the Auditor General

Terry Paddon, Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, today tabled his Update on Recommendations from the 2012 Annual Report in the House of Assembly. The report contains details of the implementation status of 105 recommendations made in the 2012 Report on Reviews of Departments and Crown Agencies.

Justice and Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, the recent tragedy in Fort McMurray has impacted thousands of Canadians including many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. With the forest fire no longer appearing to threaten the town, the work of reintegrating people back into the community and rebuilding now begins.

Education and Early Childhood Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to congratulate St. James Regional High School in Port aux Basques, on receiving this year's Inclusive Education Award.

Executive Council

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to welcome our esteemed guests, 23 European Union Ambassadors to Canada to Newfoundland and Labrador. We are delighted to welcome the delegation and proud to share our innovative business community, world-class research institutions and rich culture. Last December my office reached out to the Ambassadors to confirm their attendance and indicate our willingness to have them visit our province.

Executive Council
Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Newfoundland and Labrador's innovative business community, world-class research institutions, and rich culture are on display this week as 23 European Union (EU) Ambassadors to Canada visit the province.

Natural Resources
Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, and approximately 100 representatives of provincial petroleum companies and organizations participated in the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) last week in Houston, Texas.

Municipal Affairs

Today is Municipal Awareness Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, and communities throughout the province are planning activities to mark the occasion.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Innovation Week, a series of events dedicated to the advances being made in Newfoundland and Labrador's technology sector, is being held this week. During Innovation Week, the department will shine a spotlight on some of the innovative companies that are experiencing success and providing economic benefit to the province and its people. This includes Gri Simulations; a Mount Pearl-based company that recently signed a joint venture with Brazil-based Under Water Group.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Mr. Speaker, last month, harvesters from our province headed out to sea, as they have done for many years, to participate in the annual seal harvest. The sealing industry provides significant economic support to many families throughout the province, particularly in coastal communities.

Natural Resources

I rise today to report on the successful participation in the Offshore Technology Conference held last week in Houston. One hundred representatives from the province attended – from supply and service companies, industry associations, offshore operators and government.

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The updated 2016 Farm Guide, an informative publication that connects Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to farms located across Newfoundland and Labrador, is now available on the Provincial Government website.

Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government is recognizing May 8 to 15 as National Nursing Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Municipal Affairs

The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, will participate in the Town of Conception Bay South's "Doors Open" event tomorrow (Wednesday, May 11) marking the official opening of three new municipal buildings - the Town Hall, Fire Station 1 and the Conception Bay South Arena.