Government of Newfoundland News

Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

The Provincial Government recently announced organizational changes, which included establishing a new Department of Tourism, Industry and Innovation. The name chosen for the department reflected its focus on supporting industry development, but had the unintended consequence of causing concern in the arts and cultural community.

Health and Community Services

A further step in the province’s Opioid Action Plan has been achieved with the successful development of a new mandatory safe prescribing course for physicians. Developed in partnership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine, the course offers focused instruction on safe and appropriate prescribing practices for opioids, stimulants and benzodiazepines.

Tourism, Industry and Innovation

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation, will hold a media availability today (Monday, February 27) at 11:30 a.m. in front of the House of Assembly.

Fisheries and Land Resources

International aquaculture producer Marine Harvest has completed the purchase of aquaculture farming assets previously owned by Gray Aqua Group of Companies in Atlantic Canada.

Health and Community Services

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will launch the new safe prescribing course developed for health care professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday, February 27.

Executive Council
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Provincial Government is establishing a new Workforce Innovation Centre at College of the North Atlantic’s Corner Brook campus. The centre will support and fund activities, research, designs and projects that demonstrate innovation and identify methods to better assists individuals prepare for, find, return to, or maintain sustainable employment.

House of Assembly

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Honourable Tom Osborne, advises that the House of Assembly Management Commission will hold its next meeting at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, February 27.

Health and Community Services
Education and Early Childhood Development

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, will join students and staff at Lakewood Academy in Glenwood tomorrow (Friday, February 24) to discuss their plans for Empowerment Week.

Tourism, Industry and Innovation

Colin Holloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation, will address attendees at the 18th Annual Exploits Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Awards and Hall of Fame Induction

Executive Council
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will announce the launch of a workforce development initiative and related investment tomorrow (Friday, February 24) in the atrium of College of the North Atlantic’s Corner Brook campus, 141 O’Connell Drive, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Executive Council
Natural Resources

The Provincial Government is welcoming today’s announcement by the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) that it will proceed with the Wabush 3 project following the approval of a $79 million investment by the by the IOC Board of Directors.

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, will participate in public consultations to help establish a clear and consistent method of determining future increases to the minimum wage.

Executive Council

Young women from across the province are getting a taste of political life today, as the House of Assembly hosts the provincial Daughters of the Vote event.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the re-assignment of several deputy ministers. All appointments are effective immediately.

Education and Early Childhood Development
Executive Council

The Provincial Government is recognizing February 22 as Pink Shirt Day in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Executive Council

The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is hosting young women from across the province tomorrow (Thursday, February 23) for the NL Daughters of the Vote event. Media are invited to attend the introduction and opening remarks, to be provided by the Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Municipal Affairs and Environment

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment has been established to position the Provincial Government to work more effectively with communities and the Federal Government to achieve environmental standards and promote safe and sustainable communities while continuing to maintain strong environmental protection programs and policies.

Tourism, Industry and Innovation

The establishment of the Department of Tourism, Industry and Innovation is aligned with the Provincial Government’s focus on supporting business development and increased innovation in traditional and knowledge-based industries. The new department has been structured to be leaner, more efficient, and more effective in responding to the needs of the business sector, and advancing initiatives outlined in The Way Forward aimed at developing a stronger economic foundation for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Fisheries and Land Resources

The new Department of Fisheries and Land Resources will bring greater focus on the management of the province’s fishery and land resources to further economic development, improve our food security, and protect our renewable natural resources.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced changes to the Provincial Government’s organizational structure today that will maintain a high standard of program and service delivery while supporting efforts to restore fiscal balance.