Government of Newfoundland News

Natural Resources

Today, the Muskrat Falls Oversight Committee released a review of cost and schedule management processes and controls related to the Muskrat Falls Project. The review, undertaken by EY, formerly Ernst & Young LLP, and Nalcor’s response, is available at www.gov.nl.ca/MFoversight/

Transportation and Works

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works, was joined by Derrick Bragg, MHA for the District of Fogo Island-Cape Freels, as well as local officials from Fogo Island and Change Islands to officially welcome the MV Veteran to its new home on the northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The vessel is the province’s newest ferry and will serve approximately 150,000 passengers annually on the Fogo Island and Change Islands ferry route.

Executive Council
Natural Resources

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, together with the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, will make an announcement today (Monday, December 21) regarding a review of the Muskrat Falls Project. The announcement will take place in the Media Centre, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

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.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the following Parliamentary Assistant and Parliamentary Secretary appointments.

Service NL

Service NL advises an information session will be held for Wabush Mines pension plan members tomorrow (Saturday, December 18) at 3:00 p.m. in the basement of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Wabush. The session will provide information to plan members about the wind-up of the Wabush Mines pension plans. The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL, will attend the session, and will be joined by Graham Letto, MHA for Labrador West.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Seniors today enjoy improved health and greater activity. Yet, according to the National Fire Protection Association, seniors are twice as likely as the general population to be injured or killed in a home fire.

Finance

The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, will attend a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers. The meeting will be in Ottawa, Ontario, December 20-21.

Environment and Conservation

The Department of Environment and Conservation advises the public that Butter Pot Provincial Park is now open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Children and youth are often the centre of attention during the holiday season. As families enjoy a variety of Christmas activities, they should keep fire safety top of mind.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to the media today (Thursday, December 17) to discuss the decision by pension regulators to wind-up of Wabush Mines Pension Plans. Availability will begin at 4:00 p.m. outside of the House of Assembly, East Block, Confederation Building.

Service NL

The provincial Superintendent of Pensions, Michael Delaney, will brief media today (Thursday, December 17) about the decision by federal and provincial regulators to wind-up the Wabush Mines union and non-union pension plans. The briefing will take place at 2:00 p.m. in the Collective Bargaining Boardroom located on the main floor of Confederation Building, East Block.

Service NL

The provincial Superintendent of Pensions advises that the provincial Superintendent of Pensions and the federal Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions have made a joint decision to wind-up the union pension plan sponsored by Wabush Mines. The provincial Superintendent of Pensions has also declared the wind-up of the company's non-union pension plan.

Finance

The Provincial Government is fulfilling its commitment to reverse the request for pensioners to pay back pension overpayments they received and cease any and all ongoing collection efforts.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Short days and long, cold nights during the holiday season mark the arrival of the worst of winter in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works advises that the MV Veteran has arrived in Fogo Island-Change Islands, having departed St. John's harbour at approximately 6:15 p.m. yesterday evening.

Executive Council

Their Honours, the Honourable Frank Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Patricia Fagan, will host a Christmas Levee on Sunday, December 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Government House. This event is open to the general public. The Christmas Levee will be in place of the New Year's Day Levee.

House of Assembly

Members of the House of Assembly, who were elected in the provincial general election held on November 30, will be sworn-in at a ceremony in the House of Assembly Chamber, Confederation Building, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 18.

House of Assembly

An orientation session for Members-elect of the 48th General Assembly will be delivered on Thursday, December 17, in the House of Assembly Chamber. The session will provide an overview of the roles and responsibilities of a Member.

Executive Council

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador today publicly released mandate letters, which ministers received after being sworn in. In the letters, Premier Ball outlines his government’s priorities and gives ministers direction for each department.