Government of Newfoundland News

Tourism, Culture and Recreation

On Sunday, August 17, the Honourable Tony Cornect, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will participate in an Honour 100 commemoration ceremony. Minister Cornect will be joined by representatives of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Advisory Council and the Church Lads’ Brigade (C.L.B.). Honour 100 is a Provincial Government initiative commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

Executive Council

The Provincial Government today announced the schedule of public engagement sessions for the Open Government Initiative. Launched in March, the initiative’s early focus has featured online engagement and stakeholder sessions designed to improve access to information and data, as well as provide people with new opportunities to shape policy and decision-making in government.

Natural Resources

The Provincial Government is advising residents of water bomber activity related to fire suppression efforts in the area of Mud Lake. To ensure safety, recreational boaters are asked to avoid the area as water is being collected from the lake.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Electors in the district of St. George’s - Stephenville East are asked to watch their mail for Voter Information Cards being circulated by Elections Newfoundland and Labrador.

Justice

The Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General, will speak at the Opening Ceremonies and Plenary of the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) 2014 Legal Conference tomorrow (Friday, August 15). The session begins at 8:30 a.m. at the St. John’s Convention Centre, St. John’s.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

With financing from the Provincial Government, a booklet will be developed by the Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the lobster industry with the most up-to-date information to help maintain quality, as well as to help harvesters receive the best price for their catch. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $24,550 today through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program for the initiative.

Environment and Conservation

The Provincial Government’s latest survey of the George River caribou herd, conducted in July 2014, has resulted in confirmation that the herd continues to decline significantly.

Innovation, Business and Rural Development

The Colony of Avalon Foundation is implementing key goals of its three-year strategic plan with the help of $94,891 from the Provincial Government. Funding will aid the Colony of Avalon with their marketing and development efforts, strategic fundraising plans, as well as with the growth of the organization’s online presence.

Education

An eight-classroom extension will soon be constructed at Elizabeth Park Elementary in Paradise, following the recent award of a tender, valued at almost $2.3 million, to Redwood Construction Ltd. of Mount Pearl. The extension will increase capacity of the school to accommodate population growth in the area.

Environment and Conservation

The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following event relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Innovation, Business and Rual Development

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, will address the 17th Annual Youth Ventures Awards tomorrow (Thursday, August 14) at 3:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Sheraton Hotel, St. John's, in the Court Garden.

Health and Community Services

The residents of Botwood and surrounding communities will benefit from more than $745,000 in funding for new equipment and infrastructure upgrades to the Dr. H. Twomey Health Centre. The announcement was made by Kevin Pollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Health and Community Services, at the centre today. Mr. Pollard was joined by Clayton Forsey, MHA for Exploits, and Heather Brown, Vice-President of Long-Term Care, Community Supports and Rural Health at Central Health.

Health and Community Services

Kevin Pollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Health and Community Services, will make a health care funding announcement in Botwood tomorrow (Wednesday, August 13).

Environment and Conservation: Multi-Materials Stewardship Board

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is providing $100,000 to nine innovators in Newfoundland and Labrador through the Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, made the announcement today at the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ed Ring, has released his Report AH-2014-001 under authority of the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA). A summary of the Report is included below.

Advanced Education and Skills: Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

The Provincial Government, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is investing $825,000 to purchase a six-unit apartment building in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, joined officials from the community today to make the announcement. The property will be developed into long-term accommodations to help address housing issues in the region.

Advanced Education and Skills

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, today announced that Newfoundland and Labrador is now accepting employer applications for the Canada Job Grant and are encouraging employers to apply.

Natural Resources

Growing Forward 2 continues to deliver solid results for Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture industry through joint investments in projects that support innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

Education

Site work has begun in preparation for the construction of a new school to replace Virginia Park Elementary following the recent award of a tender, valued at over $3.3 million, to Marco Services Ltd. of St. John’s. This is the first of two tenders expected to be issued within the year, with the second to include the construction of the building itself.

Natural Resources

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the Provincial Government will establish a panel to undertake an independent review of hydraulic fracturing in western Newfoundland. The panel will be provided with a terms of reference to share information and receive input from the public on hydraulic fracturing.