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Province-Wide Red Tape Reduction Consultations to Support Actions to Make Government Services Easier, Faster and More Responsive
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-30 13:55:46.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Economy, Industry, Governance]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched a province-wide red tape reduction consultation initiative, running until November 20, 2026, aimed at moving the province's ranking from an F to an A on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business annual Red Tape Report Card. Led by Minister of Government Services and Minister of Red Tape Reduction Lloyd Parrott, the initiative builds on Budget 2026 measures such as the introduction of Bill 23, the Regulatory Improvement and Efficiency Act, and the establishment of a dedicated Red Tape Reduction Office and a Deputy Ministers' Steering Committee. Practical reforms already implemented include a One Project, One Review environmental assessment framework with the Federal Government, simplified fish processing licence and home repair assistance applications, and an online driver's licence photo renewal service via MyGovNL.
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Legislation to Amend the Fair Registration Practices Act Passes Third Reading
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-29 21:20:12.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Labour, Governance, Immigration]Legislative amendments to the Fair Registration Practices Act have passed third reading in the House of Assembly in Newfoundland and Labrador. Introduced by Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development Lin Paddock, the amendments transition the list of regulatory bodies covered under the statute into regulations to enhance flexibility and responsiveness. This statutory change enables the Provincial Government to more swiftly incorporate regulatory bodies, comply with interprovincial labour mobility commitments, and reduce regulatory red tape without requiring individual amendments to the act for each body added or removed. The core purpose of the Fair Registration Practices Act and the public protection mandates of independent regulatory bodies remain unchanged.
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Public Advisory: Help Shape Newfoundland and Labrador’s Rural Revitalization Strategy
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-29 19:10:13.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Economy, Infrastructure, Governance]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development, has launched public consultations to shape its upcoming Rural Revitalization Strategy. Residents, municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, businesses, community groups, and local leaders are invited to participate through in-person and virtual consultation sessions beginning November 2, 2026, an online questionnaire via EngageNL, or written submissions sent to the Natural Resources Building in St. John's. The strategy aims to implement a region-by-region approach to foster sustainable economic growth and stronger rural communities throughout the province.
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Public Advisory: Help Shape Newfoundland and Labrador’s Rural Revitalization Strategy
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-29 19:10:13.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Economy, Governance, Infrastructure]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced public consultations for its new Rural Revitalization Strategy, inviting residents, municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, businesses, community groups, and local leaders to share priorities. Stakeholders can participate through in-person or virtual consultation sessions beginning November 2, 2026, in Conception Bay South and Wabana, by completing an online questionnaire at EngageNL, or by providing written submissions via mail or email to the Executive Council. The strategy aims to implement a region-by-region approach to foster sustainable economic growth and strengthen rural communities across the province.
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Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report A-2026-036 Released
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-29 17:45:03.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Governance, Justice]The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner released Report A-2026-036, finding that the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands contravened section 65(1) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The Department failed to retain interview panel notes involving an employment candidate's personal information for the mandatory one-year retention period, improperly treating them as transitory records and destroying them prematurely. The Commissioner recommended that the Department review its transitory records usage and update its record retention policies to comply fully with section 65.
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Provincial Government Opens Public Engagement on New Climate Change Action Plan
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-28 17:30:40.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Environment, Climate, Energy, Governance]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change led by Minister Andrea Barbour, has launched public engagement for its upcoming five-year 2027-2032 Climate Change Action Plan. Hosted on the EngageNL platform, the initiative gathers public and stakeholder input on climate mitigation, adaptation, disaster resilience, environmental awareness, and municipal preparedness to support the province's transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. Written submissions, emails, and online questionnaires will be accepted until November 26, 2026, alongside targeted sessions with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, municipalities, and industry stakeholders.
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Minister Barbour Announces Development of a New Climate Change Action Plan
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-28 16:50:06.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Environment, Climate, Governance]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Minister of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Andrea Barbour, announced the launch of stakeholder engagement on a new Climate Change Action Plan via the EngageNL platform. The initiative aims to collaborate with residents, municipalities, working groups, and Indigenous Governments and Organizations to establish a more attainable plan featuring clear, achievable emissions reduction targets. The updated action plan will prioritize disaster resilience, municipal preparedness, and environmental awareness while establishing a realistic and actionable pathway to lower emissions.
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Premier Announces Key Addition to Negotiating Team and Next Steps for Churchill Falls Agreement
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-28 16:15:00.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Energy, Infrastructure, Resources, Governance]Premier Tony Wakeham and Minister of Energy and Mines Lloyd Parrott announced that Barry Perry is transitioning to Special Advisor while Gary Smith, former President and CEO of Newfoundland Power and Executive Vice-President at Fortis Inc., will take over as lead negotiator for the Churchill Falls and Gull Island agreement. The updated agreement with Quebec and the Government of Canada is projected to deliver 760 megawatts of additional power, 985 megawatts of guaranteed transmission portfolio, and an estimated $273 billion in total nominal value over its lifetime. The completed definitive agreements will subsequently be tabled in the House of Assembly for technical briefings and a special legislative debate.
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Legislative Amendments Proposed to Strengthen Administration of Fair Registration Practices Act
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-27 19:55:05.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Labour, Governance, Immigration]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development Lin Paddock, introduced legislative amendments to the Fair Registration Practices Act on October 27, 2026. The proposed changes shift the list of regulated bodies covered by the legislation into regulations, streamlining the process to add or remove regulatory bodies and reduce administrative red tape. This reform aims to help the province respond more rapidly to labour mobility commitments, interprovincial credential recognition, and workforce demands for internationally educated and out-of-province professionals without requiring statutory legislative amendments. The amendments preserve the core mandate of the act and the authority of regulatory bodies to establish and assess professional qualifications and public protection standards.
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Amendments to the Social Workers Act Will Strengthen Public Safety
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-27 17:55:46.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Public Safety, Governance]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Minister of Health and Community Services Joedy Wall, has introduced amendments to the Social Workers Act to establish a new Registered Clinical Social Worker category for private practice. Developed in collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Social Workers, the designation requires a Master of Social Work, proven clinical experience, and a recognized clinical exam. A transition plan is being formulated for existing private practice social workers who do not yet meet the new standard. Additional amendments clarify that social work students on field placements do not require registration, remove redundant honorary membership provisions, mandate the college board to appoint an auditor, and incorporate gender-neutral language.
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Provincial Government Releases Core Staffing Review
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-26 18:30:12.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Labour, Governance]The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released a core staffing review conducted by Deloitte Inc. that evaluates minimum staffing levels and skill mixes across six Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services sites, including Community Health Mount Pearl Square and the Health Sciences Centre. The report outlines 21 recommendations focused on enabling staff to work to full value, stabilizing core staffing, transitioning to forecasted staffing models, and reducing structural loads. Minister of Health and Community Services Joedy Wall announced that the government is collaborating with the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador, NAPE, and CUPE to review the recommendations.
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Minister Petten Invites Public Submissions on Review of Municipal Elections Act
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-22 14:30:41.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Governance]The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs in Newfoundland and Labrador, led by Minister Barry Petten, has launched a formal public review of the Municipal Elections Act (SNL2001 Chapter M-20.2), which relies heavily on wording from 1979. The government is inviting residents, municipalities, and stakeholders to submit feedback on topics including accessibility, voting methods, voter and candidate eligibility, election dates, and modernization of legislative language until November 16, 2026. Public submissions collected via email, mail, and engageNL will help shape a future questionnaire and guide legislative recommendations to modernize municipal elections.
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Auditor General Issues Public Accounts Audit Opinion
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-19 13:30:03.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Finance, Governance]Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador Denise Hanrahan issued the province's 32nd consecutive unqualified audit opinion on the 2025-26 Public Accounts, marking the Office of the Auditor General's clean assessment of the government's financial statements. The financial documents, prepared under Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada standards, outline a provincial operating deficit of $378 million, a net debt of $19 billion, and total liabilities reaching $36 billion. Unlike the previous fiscal year, accounting issues related to the tobacco settlement did not recur, as the province fully paid the remaining $98 million in total settlement legal fees upfront rather than linking payments to future revenue realization.
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OIPC Releases Submissions for the ATIPPA 2015 Review
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-14 14:00:46.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Governance, Justice, Technology]The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) has released its official submission for the statutory five-year review of Newfoundland and Labrador's Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015), pursuant to section 117 of the legislation. While maintaining that ATIPPA, 2015 remains the strongest access to information law in Canada, Information and Privacy Commissioner Kerry Hatfield's submission outlines targeted amendments to clarify solicitor-client privilege oversight, strengthen privacy protections regarding political parties, and address emerging challenges associated with artificial intelligence and digital technology. The statutory review process is being conducted by committee chair Keri-Lynn Power, LLB (Hons), LLM, appointed by the Minister of Justice and Public Safety.
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Members’ Compensation Review Committee Delivers Final Report
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-13 12:30:05.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Governance, Finance]The 2026 Members’ Compensation Review Committee, conducted by Heather M. Jacobs, KC, has delivered its final report on salaries, allowances, severance, and pensions for Members of the House of Assembly in accordance with Section 16 of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act. The House of Assembly Management Commission is scheduled to review the recommendations during a technical briefing on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, ahead of potential legislative amendments. Any recommendations accepted by the Commission regarding salaries and pensions will require consideration of a related bill in the House of Assembly.
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Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report A-2026-031 Released
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-07 18:20:32.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Governance, Justice]The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner released Report A-2026-031 regarding access to information requests made to the College of the North Atlantic for internal records and aggregate legal fees. The College withheld all responsive records under section 30 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015, and refused to provide the records to the Commissioner's Office despite a formal summons. The Commissioner determined that the College failed to conduct a reasonable search and did not meet its burden regarding solicitor-client and litigation privilege, subsequently recommending the full release of all responsive records to the Complainant.
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Demolition of Martin Gallant Building Necessary Following Further Assessment
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-05 16:30:46.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Infrastructure, Public Safety, Environment, Governance]The Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, led by Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Barry Petten, announced that the Martin Gallant Building in Stephenville Crossing will be demolished rather than redeveloped. Additional environmental and structural assessments revealed contaminated soil, the presence of lead paint, and significant structural deficiencies that rendered rehabilitation economically unviable. This decision follows the cancellation of a previously awarded redevelopment contract in June due to risks related to cost escalation, delays, and a lack of preliminary due diligence by the previous administration. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure will proceed with safe decommissioning and demolition while maintaining local government services and consulting stakeholders.
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Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 Statutory Review Committee – One Week Remaining to Provide Written Submissions
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-02 14:15:42.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Governance, Justice]Keri-Lynn Power, Chair of the independent ATIPPA Review Committee, has issued a one-week reminder for the public and public bodies to submit written feedback on the provisions and operation of Newfoundland and Labrador's Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The call for written submissions, part of the statutory five-year review process, opened on July 15 and is set to close on October 9, 2026. Submissions can be submitted online through the committee's website, via email, or delivered directly to the committee's office located at the Beothuck Building in St. John's.
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Statement from Premier Wakeham on France’s Pledged Intention to Launch Exploratory Snow Crab Fishery
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-29 19:25:34.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, National, Trade, Fisheries, Resources, Governance]Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Wakeham expressed disappointment and opposition regarding France's pledged intention to launch an exploratory snow crab fishery on the extension of Canada's continental shelf. Premier Wakeham discussed the issue with federal Minister Thompson, who confirmed that the Government of Canada does not support France's action. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Global Affairs Canada are collaborating to determine next steps and protect Canada's jurisdictional authority and fishing industry.
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Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report A-2026-030 Released
Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-28 14:00:25.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Governance, Public Safety, Labour]The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Newfoundland and Labrador released Report A-2026-030, reviewing a complaint against the Treasury Board Secretariat regarding a request for records concerning a workplace safety concern and work refusal. The Treasury Board Secretariat withheld information under sections 29 (policy advice or recommendations), 30 (legal advice), and 40 (disclosure harmful to personal privacy) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The Commissioner found that the Treasury Board Secretariat appropriately applied sections 29 and 40 and conducted a reasonable search for records, but noted that current jurisprudence bars her from testing the veracity of a section 30 legal advice claim without evidence.
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