• 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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• 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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• 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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• Provincial Government Appoints New Director of Serious Incident Response Team

  Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
  Date: 2026-09-09 16:30:04.0
  Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

  The Honourable Helen Conway Ottenheimer, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, has appointed Richard Deveau as the new director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) for a five-year term effective September 9, 2026. Mr. Deveau, formerly a senior Crown attorney for the Eastern Region with Public Prosecutions, succeeds leadership of the independent civilian-led oversight agency responsible for investigating police-involved deaths, serious injuries, sexual offences, domestic violence, and matters of significant public interest across Newfoundland and Labrador.

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