New Metro Child Care Spaces to Support Recruitment and Retention in Health Care

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Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-30 12:40:16.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Education, Social Services, Labour]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $1 million through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to fund up to 72 new child care spaces at the Unity Health Centre on Stavanger Drive in St. John's, operated by YWCA St. John's. Announced by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Paul Dinn and Health and Community Services Minister Joedy Wall, the project provides priority access to all health care professionals to support workforce recruitment and retention. NL Health Services and YWCA St. John's endorsed the initiative, noting it will particularly assist workers requiring shift work and support gender equity in the labour market.

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.

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.

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.

Premier Wakeham tours Bull Arm Site as OilCo Issues Request for Proposals for Floating Dry Dock Engineering Study

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-23 13:18:27.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Infrastructure, Energy, Industry, Defence, Labour]

The Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (OilCo), acting on behalf of Bull Arm Fabrication Inc. (BAF), has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP Reference No. 926000006 via merx.com) seeking qualified proponents to conduct a Pre-Front End Engineering and Design (Pre-FEED) study for a floating dry dock at the 25-square-kilometre Bull Arm Fabrication Site in Trinity Bay. The initiative follows a June 2026 request for expressions of interest that drew 19 submissions from four countries, with over half originating from entities operating within Newfoundland and Labrador. The proposed floating dry dock aims to expand the site's industrial capacity for ship repair, marine construction, offshore support, decommissioning, and defence-related projects. Interested companies must submit their proposals by February 26, 2027.

Provincial Government Invests in Bluedrop ISM to Advance Workforce Development and Digital Credential Innovation

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-21 18:20:57.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Labour, Technology, Economy]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $475,000 through the Labour Market Partnerships program to support SkillsPass NL 2.0, a one-year demonstration project led by Bluedrop ISM. Funded via the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, the project utilizes Bluedrop’s training delivery and credential management platform to expand access to online training, improve digital credentialing, and collaborate with employers, industry associations, regulators, and training institutions. Led by Bluedrop ISM Founder and CEO Emad Rizkalla and supported by Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development Lin Paddock, the initiative aims to build a connected workforce talent pipeline and evaluate the impact of digital credentials on labour market outcomes across the province.

Provincial Government Celebrates Women Entrepreneurs at NLOWE Awards

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-20 14:30:28.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Economy, Industry, Labour]

Premier Tony Wakeham and Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development Lin Paddock announced funding and recognized award winners at the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) Awards. The Provincial Government provides $568,206 annually to NLOWE for the Self-Employment Assistance Program via the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, alongside $100,000 in annual core funding through the Regional Development Program. Additionally, the government invested $215,000 in NLOWE’s Origin to Opportunity (O2O) Lab to support newcomer women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and networking.

High Student Participation Highlights Growing Success of Youth Apprenticeship Summer Program

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-19 15:30:41.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Education, Labour, Economy]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that 85 youth apprentices and 68 employers successfully participated in the 2026 Youth Apprenticeship Summer Program, administered by Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador and funded via the Canada-NL Workforce Development Agreement and the Canada-NL Labour Market Development Agreement. Participating employers have applied for the Youth Apprenticeship Summer Program Extended Subsidy to maintain youth apprentices through the fall and winter months. Additionally, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development introduced teaching units at 21 schools this September to provide scheduling flexibility for students pursuing skilled trades coursework.

Provincial Government Recognizes Disability Employment Awareness Month and Supports Inclusive Employment

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-15 21:05:12.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Labour, Social Services, Economy]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $15.9 million through the Supported Employment Newfoundland and Labrador program to help individuals with intellectual disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. Funding for this initiative is provided through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Development Agreement. A total of 15 agencies across the province are receiving funding to deliver personalized workplace skills training and career support. The announcement coincides with the recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month in October 2026, marked by proclamations from Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development Lin Paddock and Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being Chris Tibbs.

Federal Government Supports New Projects to Promote Francophone Immigration

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-29 13:50:03.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Immigration, Labour, Education, Healthcare, Economy]

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced an investment of $349,684 over two years under the Francophone Immigration Support Program. Administered via provincial ministers Lin Paddock (Jobs, Growth and Rural Development) and Lena Metlege Diab (federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship), the funding targets overseas recruitment to attract French-speaking and bilingual talent. The initiative aims to address labour market needs and population growth in key sectors such as education, early childhood education, and health care while expanding French-language services.

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.

Eastern Canada business leaders call for ‘single economy’ between Atlantic provinces

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-25 14:16:00.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Economy, Trade, Labour, Infrastructure, Energy, Immigration]

The Atlantic Economic Panel, appointed by federal minister Sean Fraser and chaired by Crane Cove Holdings Ltd. president Don Mills, released a report calling for the creation of a 'One Atlantic Canada' single economy by 2035 across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. To combat low productivity, labour shortages, and regulatory barriers, the report outlines seven major recommendations, including a $1-billion Atlantic Prosperity Fund, a $25-billion integrated electricity system managed by a region-wide independent system operator, the removal of all trade and labour mobility barriers, and regional infrastructure partnerships. Additional targets include growing the region's population past 3 million with a 1.8 percent annual growth rate, doubling exports to Europe to over $30 billion, mobilizing $100 billion in new natural resource investments, and enhancing the aerospace, defence, shipbuilding, and artificial intelligence sectors.

Public Advisory: Help Shape Newfoundland and Labrador’s Population Growth Strategy

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-22 12:30:26.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Economy, Labour, Immigration, Governance]

The Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development of Newfoundland and Labrador has launched a public consultation process to inform the development of a new population growth strategy. Operating through the EngageNL platform and accepting direct email submissions until October 11, 2026, the strategy focuses on four main pillars: growing the workforce, growing families, growing regions, and growing in-migration. Additionally, targeted questionnaires are being distributed to municipal governments, Indigenous governments and organizations, and provincial employers to gather diverse perspectives on regional economic and population development.

Request for Proposals Issued for Nurse Practitioner Review

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-11 15:30:01.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Labour, Governance]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in collaboration with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and the Registered Nurses Union Newfoundland and Labrador, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) due September 29, 2026, to conduct a comprehensive review of the role of nurse practitioners. The review will evaluate practice scope, service delivery models, workload considerations, governance, and recruitment and retention to address long-term workforce needs. Input was also provided by the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurse Practitioners Association to help shape future workforce planning and maximize the contributions of nurse practitioners within the provincial health care system.

Provincial Government Increasing Skilled Trades Opportunities for High School Students

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-08 17:40:09.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Education, Labour, Economy]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is expanding skilled trades education opportunities for the 2026-27 school year across 21 high schools and six additional rural schools via the Centre for Learning and Development Innovation. The expansion provides between 6.25 and 12.5 hours of additional teaching time per week, eliminates all high school skilled trades waitlists, and adds courses such as Design and Fabrication 1202 and 2202, Skilled Trades 1201, Residential Construction Technology 2201, and Power and Energy 3201. This initiative fulfills a Blue Book commitment to introduce high-end pre-apprenticeship programs to prepare students for regional economic projects including Bay du Nord, Churchill Falls, and Gull Island.

Premier Welcomes Trades NL Support of New and Better Deal to Deliver More Jobs

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-09-08 15:30:19.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Energy, Infrastructure, Labour, Economy]

Premier Tony Wakeham announced that Trades NL has endorsed the Provincial Government's new deal to develop Churchill Falls and Gull Island, partnering with federal and provincial entities including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Christine Fréchette. The agreement extends employment benefits to all project components—including Churchill Falls upgrades, Labrador transmission, and wind development—guaranteeing that 85 per cent of all person-hours worked during construction will remain in Newfoundland and Labrador. Priority for these roles is mandated for qualified Labrador Innu, qualified Labradorians, and qualified Newfoundlanders, in that order. At peak construction, the Gull Island project alone is projected to employ up to 5,000 workers.

Consultations Beginning on Improving Apprenticeship Opportunities

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-08-31 17:05:47.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Labour, Education, Industry, Economy]

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, through the NL Workforce Innovation Centre, is launching stakeholder consultations to overhaul the provincial apprenticeship system based on recommendations from Prism Economics and Analysis. The consultation process will gather input from apprentices, employers, unions, Indigenous governments, and training providers via online surveys, focus groups, and interviews to improve access, outcomes, and industry responsiveness. Key areas of focus include strengthening industry participation, establishing advisory councils, enhancing workforce planning data, and creating evaluation performance indicators. The consultation report is scheduled to be completed later in 2026.

Newfoundland and Labrador Supports Accelerated Action to Strengthen Internal Trade Across Canada

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-08-28 14:50:15.0
Tags: [National, Newfoundland and Labrador, Trade, Labour, Economy, Agriculture]

Federal, provincial, and territorial ministers meeting in Iqaluit, Nunavut, agreed to accelerate efforts to reach an agreement in principle by fall 2026 on model mutual recognition legislation to create a common Canadian market and support labour mobility. Ministers ratified amendments to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement establishing a 30-day service standard for labour mobility applications and committed to expanding the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement to services by December 2026. Additionally, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency introduced concierge services and targeted exemptions under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations to allow provincial red meat slaughter facilities to trade low volumes interprovincially. Nine premiers also signed an operating agreement in July 2026 regarding direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages.