Way Forward Commitment:

High performing firms are companies that have witnessed or have the potential to see considerable revenue growth and are led by management teams with a growth mindset and an appetite for continued expansion. Our Government recognizes that high performing firms must be supported to address barriers that may be restricting their potential to generate innovation, employment opportunities and revenues.

Our Government will identify target sectors with high growth potential and focus its human resources and financial supports on those organizations to maximize growth and economic output. In 2017-18, high performing firms will be identified based on criteria such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), levels of employment, opportunities for diversification within the firm and supports to encourage internationalization.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation is providing customized business growth support in areas such as financing solutions, advisory services, and export and innovation support to Newfoundland and Labrador firms with high-growth potential.
• Two specific initiatives devoted to delivering this work are:
  • The Provincial Government’s collaboration with federal partners as part of the Accelerated Growth Service and the Cabinet Committee on Jobs (CCOJ) Technology Sector Work Plan, which was produced in partnership with industry.
  • Through both initiatives, government is providing individualized assistance to businesses to assist with crucial growth and transition periods. Specific areas of support include:
    • Firm-level export and international business development strategies;
    • Business diagnostic services;
    • Financing; and,
    • Market and business development support.
• To-date, 22 companies have formally signed on for participation in the CCOJ high-growth firm initiation. Additionally, six firms are actively being engaged in the initiative, with a further 20 identified as future targets. Participation includes an initial diagnostic, growth plan assessment and intervention prioritization. In consultation with industry, company criteria for participation includes:
  • a focus on innovation;
  • a focus on export markets;
  • capacity and enthusiasm to grow;
  • strong management team; and,
  • resources for investment.
• Since July 2017, 18 Newfoundland and Labrador companies have signed up for business growth support as part of the Accelerated Growth Service.
• As part of these initiatives, the Provincial Government will continue to work with industry and business partners to provide support for developing the entrepreneurial pipeline in Newfoundland and Labrador expand, providing ongoing support to accelerate business expansion and economic output.

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Immigration is a key component of economic and labour market growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and contributes to the social and cultural vibrancy of the province. In 2015, 1,122 immigrants came to the province. Our Government will increase immigration to Newfoundland and Labrador by 50 per cent by 2022 by welcoming approximately 1,700 newcomers to the province each year.

Committed to in Phase 1, our Government released The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador on March 24, 2017, which outlined our specific approach to increasing immigration. Our Government is focused on ensuring that Newfoundland and Labrador becomes a destination of choice for newcomers and their families, while also enticing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians abroad to return to their home province.

To help meet our target for increased immigration, we have to make it easier for newcomers to come to this province so they can make social and economic contributions. In 2017, the number of individuals supported through provincial immigration programs increased by 25 per cent, compared to 2016. This represents significant progress toward the 2022 goal.

In 2018-19, our government will streamline immigration application processes and make them available online. We will also add a dedicated stream for immigrant entrepreneurs to the Provincial Nominee Program. This requires working to: strengthen partnerships; maximize pathways to immigration; enhance education, attraction and promotion activities; improve settlement and retention initiatives; support better awareness and understanding of the benefits of multiculturalism and diversity in the province; and, support and increase the repatriation of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living abroad.

In 2018-19, our government will collaborate with communities to increase newcomer attraction and has introduced a regional Welcoming Communities pilot program to help address barriers to community participation and integration. We will also promote multiculturalism through the K-12 school system and support students from diverse cultural backgrounds by building capacity for educators through training and professional development opportunities focused on multicultural education.

We will work with employers and service providers to offer employment mentorship and leadership opportunities for immigrant women. We will also increase English as a Second Language (ESL) training for newcomers and the number of ESL sites in Labrador, which represents the fastest growing region in the province for immigration.

This work is all part of The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• On March 24, 2017, the Provincial Government released The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• In 2017, the number of individuals supported through provincial immigration programs increased by 25 per cent, compared to 2016. This represents significant progress toward the 2022 goal of welcoming 1,700 newcomers to NL annually.
• The Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) increased its staffing capacity by creating an additional two Immigration Program Development Officers, and by the addition of two managers (Manager of International Student Engagement and Manager of Labour Attraction) to the division.
• The OIM is currently making efforts to enhance application service standards, including through the development of an online application system and streamlining of application processes. The first phase of the online application system for the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program is now complete. This means applicants and employers wishing to hire immigrants for their workforce needs may avail of an online application system that streamlines the process. Paper applications will continue to be accepted until the implementation of the online system is completed.
• The OIM announced $567,000 on April 24, 2018 to support a WelcomeNL Initiative in partnership with MunicipalitiesNL (MNL) to promote the integration and retention of newcomers to the province, with individuals and organizations working together to provide services and supports to help them feel at home. By promoting diversity and multiculturalism, these communities aim to attract and retain new residents, encouraging social, cultural, and economic growth.
• In 2017-18, the OIM partnered with the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women to build an understanding of promising practices in the area of employment mentorship and leadership for immigrant women.
• The provincial government also approved a project led by Memorial University’s Genesis Centre, to explore ways to increase entrepreneurship among women and immigrants in the technology sector.
• In 2018-19, the Provincial Government provided over $500,000 in settlement and integration funding to support newcomers in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the provision of English as a Second Language classes, supports for newcomers in community integration, French-language settlement services, intercultural competency training, and promotion of human and workplace rights to newcomers in the province.
• The Provincial Government has provided $150,000 to Memorial University’s English as a Second Language Programs to create eight online learning modules for the delivery of technology-mediated language learning.
• The OIM also partnered with College of North Atlantic, as part of a public Call for Proposals for demonstration projects to support the labour market integration of refugees. The partnership will result in the development of blended delivery English language courses for academic purposes, with a focus on the labour market integration of refugees in rural areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Assisted the Multicultural Women’s Organization of NL and the Bethesda Pentecostal Church to offer informal English conversation classes.
• In May 2018, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development recruited a Program Development Specialist for Multiculturalism.
• The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development provided allocations for six additional English as a Second Language and Literacy Enrichment and Academic Readiness for Newcomers (LEARN) teachers as part of Budget 2018. ESL and LEARN programs will be expanded to two additional high schools beginning in September 2019.
• A Multiculturalism Advisory Committee has been formed and is working to develop a provincial multicultural education framework, which is anticipated to be completed in December 2019.
• On December 20, the Provincial Government released application guides for two new business immigration categories under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) which will facilitate pathways to permanent residency for international entrepreneurs who wish to move to or remain in Newfoundland and Labrador and operate their business in the province:
  • The International Graduate Entrepreneur – open to graduates of Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic who wish to create or co-own and manage a business in the province; and,
  • The International Entrepreneur – open to prospective immigrants who wish to settle in the province and be engaged in the daily operation of a business they create, join or take over.
• On January 9, 2019, the Provincial Government provided $75,000 in funding for the YWCA to deliver a Newcomer Women’s Leadership and Employment Mentorship Project. The project will help improve confidence and leadership skills, ensuring newcomer women are better able to join the workforce.
• On April 9, 2019, the Provincial Government announced 24 new Immigration Action Plan initiatives which aim to increase newcomer attraction and retention through concerted action by all levels of government, employers, communities, and residents.

News Releases:

Changes to Corporations Act Support Immigration and Economic Growth

Minister Hawkins Highlights Expansion of Welcoming Communities Initiative

Engagement, Collaboration, and Partnerships Drive Immigration Action Plan

Minister Hawkins Highlights Success of Recent International Immigrant Recruitment

Provincial Government Announces Pilot Employment Programs for International Students

Proposals Sought to Help Integrate Refugees into the Workforce

Provincial Government Releases Newfoundland and Labrador Guide to Immigration

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and Service NL Enter into a Driver’s Licence Reciprocity Agreement

New Immigration Categories Enable Newcomers to Establish Businesses, Create Jobs

Provincial Government Announces New Initiatives for Newcomer Settlement and Integration

Minister’s Roundtable on Immigration Focuses on New Initiatives for Newcomer Retention, Economic Growth

Provincial Government Releases Application Guides for Business Immigration Categories

Minister Davis Announces Support for YWCA Mentorship Program that Helps Newcomer Women Join the Workforce

Provincial Government to Welcome Second Round of Expressions of Interest for International Entrepreneurs

New Initiatives Enhance Efforts to Increase Immigration, Retention

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Newfoundland and Labrador has an abundance of wind, hydro and tidal energy resources that have not been fully developed. Surrounded by water and with significant amounts of unoccupied Crown land, this province is a prime location for harnessing the potential of renewable energy. We have the space, resources and environmental conditions, as well as the experience and expertise in the energy sector that we can leverage to supply the cleaner, greener energy of tomorrow. Our government will work with industry and other stakeholders in 2018-19 to develop a renewable energy plan that is focused on creating employment opportunities and further positioning the province as an energy hub.

As governments and industries across Canada and around the world lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste and conserve energy, there is an opportunity to stimulate clean economic growth and create jobs by driving innovation in clean technology. In 2018-19, our government will work with its partners to find opportunities to develop and deploy clean technologies and leverage federal funding. This work builds on our commitment to grow the technology sector, as outlined in The Way Forward on Technology, a collaborative work plan developed with industry.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Department of Natural Resources (NR) has developed an outline for the process and identified membership for the advisory council. The first meeting is planned for April, followed by public engagement.
• NR is in the process of gathering and preparing information, including undertaking a jurisdictional analysis prior to engaging industry stakeholders on the development of the Renewable Energy Strategy. It is expected that opportunities for engagement on the strategy will begin in Winter 2019.

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Recognizing that Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic make valuable social and economic contributions to our province, our government will use the Independent Appointments Commission process to appoint a committee of experts to undertake a review of the province’s public post-secondary education system. The committee will explore how our system compares to other jurisdictions and will recommend options to achieve better outcomes in post-secondary education in a more cost-efficient manner. Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic will play key roles in this review.

Further, in 2018-19, the Council on Higher Education, which has a mandate to facilitate collaboration and make recommendations on public post-secondary institutions, will identify opportunities for College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University to pool applied research resources to support the growth of priority sectors. The Council will also identify ways to facilitate and further support the transfer of students between the two institutions, thus supporting academic mobility, non-duplication of effort and cost-efficiency.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The three-year Activity Plan for September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2020 for the Council on Higher Education was tabled December 2017.
• Advisory Committee and working groups have been established to:
  • Determine applied research priorities, and
  • Facilitate and further support the transfer of students between the two institutions.
• Following preliminary discussions with members of the leadership and student organizations of the province’s public post-secondary institutions, input on a draft Terms of Reference for a review of the post-secondary education system was sought from Memorial University, College of the North Atlantic and post-secondary student unions. These institutions completed their own consultation processes with their respective communities and provided feedback to further inform the Terms of Reference. The final Terms of Reference for the Independent Review of the Public Post-Secondary Education System were released on March 7, 2019.
• In addition, the Public Service Commission conducted a merit-based recruitment through the Independent Appointments Commission process, for members to an independent Committee of Experts which is leading the review. The committee is chaired by Karen Kennedy and includes Dr. Kevin Keough and Dr. Doreen Neville.
• The committee is guided by the Terms of Reference and will also consider The Way Forward in the development of a strategic vision of public post-secondary education for the next decade.

News Releases:

Minister Hawkins Provides Update on Post-Secondary Education Review

Provincial Government Announces Terms of Reference, Committee of Experts for Independent Public Post-Secondary Education Review

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

Our province has rich forest resources. Yet, our forestry sector has faced challenges in recent years with the rising cost of transportation, a decline in the global demand for newsprint and other print materials, and recent protectionist decisions by the United States. In 2018-19, in collaboration with the recently formed Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Industry Association and other stakeholders, our government will develop a plan for diversifying the province’s forestry sector. By 2020, we are targeting a 20 per cent increase in timber allocations and harvest levels over the previous five-year period.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The first meeting of the newly formed Forestry Sector steering Committee was held on May 31, 2018 in St. John’s
• A new Timber Allocation Policy was unveiled March 23, 2018 with implementation commencing January 1, 2019 that provides a clear process for the renewal of commercial cutting permits, resulting in the increased harvest and improved resource usage necessary to foster more opportunities for industry growth.
• Timber Sale Agreements were released through a public tendering process on March 23, 2018, which will enable qualifying businesses new access to the provincial Annual Allowable Cut on Crown land through an open, fair, and competitive bidding process.
• Five-year commercial cutting permits were offered by March 31, 2018 to provide long-term security and improved resource access to qualifying forest operators, which encourages industry investment and growth.
• The first Timber Sale Agreement was issued for Red Indian Lake to harvest 15,567m³ of softwood and hardwood for local firewood and saw log markets.
• Two five-year commercial cutting permits have been approved. The first in District 9 in Springdale and Baie Verte and the second in District 18 in Roddickton.
• The Provincial Government has issued two five-year commercial cutting permits to Timberlands International (Newfoundland and Labrador) Inc., totalling 100,000 m³ annually (500,000 m³ over five years) in Districts 17 and 18 on the Great Northern Peninsula.
  • The permits will support operation of a $19.7 million-wood pellet plant to be constructed in Hawke’s Bay.
  • The project is expected to create at least 25 full-time positions associated with plant operations, and 30-50 positions in harvesting and trucking.
• Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador can apply online for Domestic Cutting Permits beginning January 2, 2019. Beginning in 2019, permits will also be available via email to make this service more efficient and convenient for users.
• The Provincial Government, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Industry Association and forest sector stakeholders, launched the Forestry Sector Work Plan – a roadmap of 32 actions intended to diversify the forest industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, strengthen the provincial economy and support job creation – on January 28, 2019.

News Releases:

Provincial Government Announces New Measures Aimed at Increasing Timber Allocations and Harvest Levels

Province Taking Measures to Increase Timber Allocations and Harvest Levels

Measures Scheduled for New Year Aimed at Increasing Timber Allocations and Harvest Levels

Provincial Government Committed to Revitalizing Forest Sector on Great Northern Peninsula

Public Advisory: Domestic Cutting Permits Available Via Email Beginning in 2019

Provincial Government and Forest Industry Partners Launch Plan to Diversify Forest Sector

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

The oil and gas industry is very important to our province’s economy, making up 25 per cent of our GDP and accounting for 41 per cent of our exports over the past 20 years. Through Advance 2030: The Way Forward on Oil and Gas, our government is working with oil and gas partners to promote the development, competitiveness and sustainability of the industry in this province. We have set a number of long-term targets, including the direct employment of at least 7,500 people in operations and the drilling of over 100 new exploration wells by 2030.

Our government knows the potential of our undiscovered and undeveloped oil and gas reserves. We will leverage our globally competitive position and our highly competent and professional workforce to double production to over 650,000 barrels of oil per day by 2030. To support the achievement of this goal, in 2018-19, our government is transitioning the oil and gas subsidiary of Nalcor Energy to a stand-alone Crown corporation with a mandate to accelerate the growth of the oil and gas industry.

Our government will also enhance Newfoundland and Labrador’s regulatory framework by implementing a Generic Offshore Oil Royalty Regime and regulations.

Our government will also complete an assessment of the province’s benefits and equity arrangements to align with vision goals by March 31, 2018. Also in 2018, we will complete a review of international regulatory standards to identify opportunities for enhancement.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Chaired by the Minister of Natural Resources, the Oil and Gas Industry Development Council was appointed on December 21, 2016. Since then, the Council has held regular meetings, provided strategic advice and has been involved in stakeholder consultations to develop a vision, set goals and identify key focus areas, actions and timelines.
• On February 19, 2018, the Provincial Government launched The Way Forward on Oil and Gas: Advance 2030. The 17 immediate, mid-term and long-term actions areas outlined in the plan focus on accelerating exploration drilling and fostering a culture of collaboration and entrepreneurship that will increase our global competitiveness, drive innovation and supplier development capabilities, and reduce the time from prospectivity to production. Implementation of the actions is progressing with oversight from the Oil and Gas Development Council.
• Government has also approved implementation of the Generic Oil Royalty Regime (GORR) and regulations. These regulations were published in the Gazette on November 1, 2017 and apply to future offshore oil developments. The new regime provides fiscal certainty, transparency, predictability and stability to companies looking to invest in offshore exploration and development and provides an appropriate balance of risk between developer and province as resource owner. It also provides future developments with a simplified approach to royalty calculations, a more progressive system that accounts for changes in costs and oil prices, and reduced legal and audit costs.
• On July 26, 2018, the Provincial Government signed a framework agreement with Equinor for the development of the Bay du Nord project  with first oil anticipated in 2025. The project holds reserves of nearly 300 million barrels of oil and opens a new basin offshore NL – the Flemish Pass. It also represents our first offshore project in deepwater with R&D/E&T expenditure commitments to position the province as a centre of excellence for deepwater oil and gas development. Key economic benefits during construction and operations include: 11,000 person years of employment, $3.5 billion in government revenues (royalties, taxes and 10% equity) and $14 billion in economic activity. The project holds reserves of nearly 300 million barrels of oil and opens a new basin offshore NL – the Flemish Pass. This is the first project to be negotiated under Newfoundland and Labrador’s generic oil royalty regulations.
• On September 19, 2018, the Provincial Government launched the Innovation and Business Development Fund (IBDF). The IBDF will provide $60 million in funding over 10 years to strengthen and diversify NL’s oil and gas supply and service capabilities.
• On October 16, 2018, the Provincial Government signed an MOU with the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to further our respective oil and gas industries.
• On October 26, 2018, the Department of Natural Resources launched a Virtual Data Room to provide information on the province’s prospectivity to offshore oil and gas explorers.
• On November 8, 2018, a record $1.38 billion in exploration licence bids were received including a record single bid of $621 million from BHP Billiton, a new entrant in the NL offshore.
• Strategic investments in offshore petroleum geoscience continues to attract exploration investment. In November 2018, the CNLOPB received record bids of $1.38 billion and a record single bid of $621 million. In total, more than 650 leads and prospects have been identified and more than 20 basins mapped. There have been eight new entrants in the past three years and outstanding work commitments total $3.9 billion with significant drilling planned over the coming years.
• A Request for Proposals is currently being developed to conduct studies regarding international standards/best practices regarding fallow field initiatives and third-party access to infrastructure.
• On March 11, 2019, the Provincial Government introduced legislation to establish a new corporation focused on maximizing opportunities for growth in the province’s offshore oil and gas industry. The introduction of a separate oil and gas corporation will enable Nalcor Energy to focus on its core business.

News Releases:

Oil and Gas Industry Development Council Appointments Announced

Provincial Government Releases Advance 2030 – A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industry

Province Releases International Competitiveness Review of Oil and Gas Industry

Premier Ball Marks First Step into New Frontier for Oil and Gas Industry

Government Launches Virtual Data Room for Oil and Gas Industry

Provincial Government to Introduce Legislation to Establish a New Oil and Gas Corporation

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Our government has committed to increase the province’s food self-sufficiency to at least 20 per cent and is working with farmers and other partners as part of The Way Forward on Agriculture to achieve this goal. In 2018-19, our government will implement a pilot project to serve locally farmed products in public health facilities. This coming year, we will also supply producers with at-cost fruit and vegetable seedlings for priority crops. To do this, we will leverage the newly formed provincial Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Development in Wooddale to pilot a project that identifies the inputs and practices necessary for optimal transplant production. Our government will also identify a way to provide abattoir services to producers in Labrador to support the establishment of viable local livestock operations.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• An ‘agri-truck’ and promotional booth have been created serve as a travelling pavilion. Together, these products function to increase public awareness of our local agriculture industry, and demonstrate opportunities and supports that exist for prospective, new and existing farmers in this province.
• Agricultural Industry Facilitators have been identified to provide consultative and advisory support for crop and livestock development. The facilitators consist of both agrologists and Agriculture Development Officers.
• On October 23, 2017, FLR launched the Agriculture Sector Workplan which includes 43 actions to support increased agriculture growth, food security and food self-sufficiency.
• The newly formed Center for Agriculture and Forestry Development in Wooddale was established on October 23, 2017.
• Access and approval improvements have been made to Crown lands designated for agricultural use including prioritization of agricultural use applications, a new online Land Use Inquiry Map, implementation of a toll free dedicated line and email, a 90 day business service standard and a commitment to eliminate Crown land application backlogs and the launch of an online fillable PDF application form. We are meeting the 90 day service standard for the majority of applications. The only exception to this is where applications are more complicated and require additional planning or review. An example of this is applications that trigger Environmental Assessment or require additional review due to sensitivities related to competing land uses.
• A pilot project to undertake large-scale land development with a focus on new agriculture sector entrants was announced on February 1, 2018 with considerable interest expressed by new entrants. Premier Ball announced the successful candidate on May 10, 2018. FLR’s second land development project was advertised on December 11, 2018 and the selection meeting was held on January 23, 2019 to review the applications. The successful applicants were announced by Minster Byrne at the Federation of Agriculture Annual General Meeting held on January 30, 2019 in Gander. Angela Richardson and Michael Alexander are the successful new entrants and have been offered to lease approximately 19.9 acres of agricultural land, located on Pine Avenue, Cormack, NL.
• A review of existing funding programs to create more opportunities to support new entrants in entering the agriculture sector was completed and the Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program (PAAP) funding for new entrants was increased from $5,000 to $20,000 for 2018-19.
• A regulatory review of all Agriculture legislation has commenced.
• Three potential projects for red meat slaughter facilities have been identified.
• Agricultural land has been identified for expansion in Labrador and a consultation process is occurring for new entrants and existing farmers to make use of this land.
• A resource listing of all agricultural financial and sector supports has been developed.
• Workforce Innovation Centre project funding was provided to the Association for New Canadians, in partnership with Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus, to develop and implement a program connecting refugees to employment opportunities in the province’s agriculture sector.
  • The Bridging the Divide Project aims to connect skilled newcomers (refugees) to opportunities in the province’s agriculture and secondary processing industries over the course of a three year period. Thirty refugee participants from five countries are enrolled in the pilot, with an average of 14 years of agriculture experience. A total of 23 farms have been engaged in the project to date.
  • In the first phase of the project, the Association for New Canadians conducted an assessment of needs of farmers and processors across the province, and the assessment of existing skills amongst refugee participants was gathered to support skills matching for the pilot and preparatory training. In the next phase, participants will undergo a tailored pre-employment training program before moving into job placements.
• On July 27, 2018, the Provincial Government announced that it is making six additional Agriculture Areas of Interest – totaling approximately 5,800 hectares – available to ensure prime agricultural land continues to be protected and secured for long-term use. Properties are now available in the Gander area, Roberts Arm, South Brook, Cormack and Crabbes River, bringing the total area of land available in the province to commercial farmers, part-time commercial farmers or new farmers to approximately 50,000 hectares.
• On April 10, 2019, the Provincial Government launched the Community Garden Support Program to help community groups, municipalities and local service districts “get growing” with support from annual grants. Applications are now available online and proponents of new gardens must provide details on their development plans. The deadline for applications is May 8, 2019.
• The 2019 Vegetable Transplant Program provided 1.7 million vegetable transplants to 54 commercial farmers at cost. This is an increase of the 255,800 transplants distributed to 25 farmers in 2018. The program is expected to result in approximately $1.6 million in combined revenues for proponents.

News Releases

$3.25 Million Committed to Provincial Agrifoods Program

Growing Forward 2 Contributes Millions to Agriculture Industry

Research Project on Viability of Growing Malting Barley Underway in Cormack

New Canadian Agricultural Partnership Provides $3 Billion to Further Grow Industry

Premier Ball Calls for Support in Advancing Food Security for Northern Communities Across Canada

Government Moving Forward with Second Beef Cattle Project

Agriculture Industry and Provincial Government Fostering Fertile Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Government Continues to Support Food Sustainability

Additional Land for Agriculture Development Now Available

Agriculture Land Development Pilot Project Launched in Western Region

Minister Byrne Unveils Initiatives to Improve Services within Crown Lands Division

Newfoundland and Labrador a Leader in Ensuring Land is Available for Farming

Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program Will Help Advance Industry Development

Canadian Agricultural Partnership to Grow Industry and Promote Food Self-sufficiency in Newfoundland and Labrador

Ensuring Agricultural Land for is Used for Agriculture: Six Additional Areas of Interest Secured for Future Farming

Minister Byrne Discusses Agriculture Research Activities, Views Wheat Harvest

Celebration of Agriculture Industry Focus of Several Province-wide Fall Festivals and Events

Provincial, Federal Governments Committed to Help the Agricultural Sector

Minister Byrne Meets with Professional Foresters, Tours Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Development

Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada Welcome New Entrants to Agriculture Industry

Minister Talks Future, Partnerships and Getting the Job Done at Federation of Agriculture AGM

Community Garden Support Program Aims to Increase Food Self-Sufficiency

Vegetable Transplant Program Continues to Support Food Self Sufficiency Goals

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Almost ten years ago, a target was set with industry to double resident and non-resident tourism spending to $1.6 billion by 2020. Our government remains committed to this target. In 2016, combined resident and non-resident visitor spending was $1.13 billion and 2017 saw the highest non-resident visitor spending our province has ever seen, at an estimated $575 million.

In 2018-19, our government will continue its creative and award-winning tourism marketing campaigns. Under the Atlantic Growth Strategy, we are also working with the Maritime Provinces and the federal government on a new market focus in China and Germany.

Building on the actions of the Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan released in 2017, our government will implement initiatives aimed at creating new tourism experiences and business opportunities. In 2018-19, we will partner with tourism stakeholders to connect prospective and existing tourism businesses with the tourism growth opportunities available throughout the province using Tourism Opportunities Sessions.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The NL Tourism Board established a research working group, led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII) Sector Research team and comprised of tourism sector representatives.
• TCII released results of the 2016 Provincial Visitor Exit Survey. In 2016, non-resident visitors spent $562 million in Newfoundland and Labrador. Residents made nearly four million trips within the province and spent more than $560 million. As a result, total tourism spending was over $1.13 billion. Estimates show that in 2017 we welcomed over 553,000 visitors for the first time – an increase of three per cent over 2016. Non-resident visitor spending reached an estimated $575 million in 2017, an increase of two per cent over the previous year. This is the highest non-resident spending the province has ever seen. Compared to 2015, non-resident visitation increased eight per cent and spending 11 per cent. Based on the 2016 exit survey results, TCII completed additional research to develop detailed traveller profiles to support targeted marketing activities and experience development. In addition due to the growing interest in shoulder season, TCII developed specific traveller profiles of the spring and fall shoulder season traveler.
• A Wi-Fi identifier logo has been released online as of March 27, 2017. To enhance visitor services, the Provincial Government aims to improve awareness of public Wi-Fi locations through the use of an universal identifier. A simple, easy to display decal has been designed for distribution to locations throughout the province offering public access to Wi-Fi service. Decals can be easily adhered to establishment’s windows, doors or signage.
• In partnership with Target Marketing and Communications, Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism launched the Find Yourself campaign in 2006, and it has become one of the most successful and recognized tourism campaigns in the country, receiving 323 regional, national and international awards to date. In 2018, prestigious honours such as Best of Show at Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards;  Best of Show at the Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise (ICE) Advertising Awards; Silver at the Canadian Marketing Awards (CMA); and, Bronze at Strategy Magazine’s Marketing Awards were added. The Best in Show is HSMAI’s highest honour and is selected from platinum winners in the advertising, digital marketing and public relations categories. This is the second time Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism and Target Marketing and Communications has received this honour.
• On June 6, 2018, the Provincial Government announced significant new features and enhancements to IcebergFinder.com, the leading online channel for tracking icebergs off of Newfoundland and Labrador. Enhanced features include a responsive design that allows travellers to access the site on mobile devices and upload photographs of icebergs using #IcebergsNL in real-time, sharing viewing location with other users.
• In December 2018, Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism launched the NL Tourism Operators Portal, a new online service designed for provincial tourism operators to self-manage important information about their businesses, in order to participate in promotions with Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism. The new NL Tourism Operator Portal enhances service delivery using the “digital-by-design” concept introduced in The Way Forward Vision‎.
• TCII partnered with Destination Canada on the 2017 Canadian Millennial Campaign to increase marketing activities targeting the millennial market in Canada. The Campaign was launched in April 2017 for Canada’s 150 Celebrations, and content developed is used more broadly in Destination Canada’s Millennial campaigns in Europe and parts of Asia.
• Far and Wide was part of the Millennial Travel Campaign, which ran from July 1 , 2016 – July 1, 2017 and reached 89 per cent of Canadians aged 18-34 and boosted this demographics’ interest in Canadian travel by 16 per cent.
• Aligning with Canada 150, TCII wanted millennials to develop a sense of pride that comes from a deeply personal experience of Canada’s people, geography, and history. Our Millennial Travel Program aimed to make millennial Canadians become lifetime ambassadors for Canada both at home and abroad.
• On July 19, 2018, the Provincial Government announced $71,000 for nine Regional Visitor Information Centres located around the province. This funding will help facilitate the development of tourism experiences, services and attractions across Newfoundland and Labrador.
• In 2018, TCII parnered with Destination Canada on the 2018 Connecting America Program. To October 2018, this program has had total online content views of 9.9 Million with an engagement rate of 2 per cent.
• In partnership with regional DMO’s, TCII has hosted 19 Tourism Opportunities Sessions throughout NL. Sessions were held in Red Bay, L’Anse au Clair, St. Anthony, Port au Choix, Norris Point, Corner Brook, Deer Lake, Port au Port, Isle au Mort, St. John’s, Grand Bank, Twillingate, Fogo Island, Springdale, Baie Verte, Gambo, and Conne Rive, Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander.

News Releases

Provincial Government Investing in Destination Management Organizations

Provincial Government Invests in Season Extension Program

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Launches Inflight Content Channel on Air Canada

Provincial Tourism Campaign Big Winner at 2017 Adrian Awards

Provincial Government Launches Enhanced Iceberg Finder Tool

Supporting Regional Visitor Information Centres Across the Province

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

In November 2016, our Government will launch a new municipal leasing program that will allow municipalities to access Crown Lands within their municipal planning boundaries for economic development purposes through long-term leases with flexible payment options, including payment deferral until the development is generating revenue. In 2018, our Government will provide Crown Lands applications online and will have implemented new, publicly available, streamlined approval processes.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Launched a new Municipal Leasing Program for Crown Lands.
• A new policy for municipalities regarding lease-to-own arrangements for Crown Lands was announced on November 30, 2016.
• The new policy enables municipalities to access Crown Lands within their municipal planning boundaries for economic development purposes.
• Municipalities can qualify for long-term leases with flexible payment options, including payment deferral until the development is generating revenue.
• Continuous improvement initiatives to increase access and shorten approval times for Crown lands were released on February 14, 2018. Improvements include access to a new Land Use Inquiry Map, implementation of a toll free dedicated line and email, a 90-business day service standard and a commitment to eliminate backlog, and the launch of an online fillable PDF application form.
• On March 14, 2019, a proposed amendment to the Forestry Act went through second reading in the House of Assembly that will exempt holders of agricultural Crown land leases from requiring cutting permits to clear land, unless they intend to sell or trade harvested timber. The exemption is intended to simplify the land development process for farmers accessing Crown land.
• On July 29, 2019, the Provincial Government announced a new feature to the Crown lands application process that allows applications to be completed and submitted online to ensure faster, more efficient processing.
• The application processes for Crown land now feature:
  • 1-800 line upgraded to an Automatic Call Distribution System to support increased telephone calls;
  • step-by-step process to complete an application online with assistance available through the Inquiries Line, dedicated email, group information sessions, or one-on-one assistance by in-person office appointment, skype or telephone;
  • applicants can also access an application in a fillable PDF format, and submit the document via email; and the,
  • new online payment option allows for greater security and protection of personal and financial information, and provides enhanced self-service options in the application process.

News Releases

Premier Announces Enhanced Access to Crown Lands for Municipalities

Proposed Amendment to Forestry Act Would Reduce Red Tape for Farmers and Ensure Level Playing Field for Forest Harvesters

Crown Lands Continuing Improvements Now Include Online Application, Updated Inquiries Line

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Our Government recently announced the creation of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation. The former Department’s structure placed each sector of the economy into a separate silo. The new Departmental structure eliminates these silos and instead focuses on addressing key challenges that firms operating in all sectors of the economy face when entering new markets and expanding their operations.

To enhance sector diversification efforts, beginning in 2017-18, our Government will implement an evidence-based framework for the identification of target sectors, using an industry partnership approach. This approach will require engagement of various industry partners and the use of research tools, such as asset mapping, to complete gap analysis, assess regional demand and capacity of a sector to fulfill that demand, and determine levels of competitiveness.

Also in 2017-18, our Government will commence the development of a comprehensive human resource plan to support sector diversification and the development of a productive and knowledge-intensive economy. This plan will be informed by forecasted labour market opportunities and enhanced labour market information products to assist in workforce planning for individuals and businesses. Further, by March 31, 2018, our Government will have collaborated with sector associations and industry groups to better respond to their private sector labour market needs and support industry diversification. This work will include working with priority sectors, including the agriculture, aquaculture, and oil and gas industries.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Through leveraging of federal labour market funding, the Provincial Government is actively supporting sector associations and industry groups across multiple sectors, including oil and gas, aquaculture, agriculture and technology, to undertake research to better respond to private sector labour market needs, forecast labour market opportunities, and to support industry diversification.
• This work is informing the development of enhanced labour market information products and a Comprehensive Human Resource Plan for the province.
• As part of the Agriculture, Aquaculture, Technology and Forestry Work Plans, industry stakeholders and government are working collaboratively to address established human resource work plan priorities that will support sector growth and diversification through the following activities:
  • The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture has been approved for funding through the Labour Market Partnership to study the labour market recruitment, retention needs of the industry including the emerging training needs and develop labour market information for the Agriculture and Agrifood sector;
  • The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association has been provided funding through the Labour Market Partnership to analyze the labour supply and demand of the Aquaculture Industry, including a review of training capacity and to develop an Aquaculture Attraction and Retention Strategy to address employment issues, strengthen the human resource capacity and undertake attraction and retention strategies;
  • Our government has developed a process to prioritize employers from the Agriculture, Aquaculture and Technology sectors applying under the Provincial Nominee Program; and
  • In 2018-19, the Technology Industry has committed to work with government and industry stakeholders to address employment issues, strengthen human resource capacity and undertake new initiatives to attract and retain workers.
  • In 2019-20, the Forestry Industry will work with government and stakeholders to address labour issues, strengthen human resource capacity and undertake new initiatives to attract and retain workers.

News Releases

Minister Byrne Announces Funding for the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

Competitive taxation is a key contributor to attracting investment. In August 2017, our government announced a review of the province’s tax system. To guide the review, an independent five-person committee of members with backgrounds in economics, taxation and public policy was appointed. The main objectives of the independent tax review are to:

• Ensure the province’s tax system is competitive and fair;
• Identify ways to simplify the tax system;
• Reduce costs for both government and tax payers; and
• Consider the progressivity of the tax system and whether the appropriate tax mix is applied to taxpayers.

The Independent Tax Review Committee has been mandated to complete its review and submit a final report to the Minister of Finance in 2018-19.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Competitive taxation is a key contributor to attracting investment. In August 2017, government announced an independent review of the province’s tax system. To guide the review, an independent five-person committee of members with backgrounds in economics, taxation, social and labour sectors and public policy was appointed.
• The Tax Review Committee Report was delivered in December 2018. Overall, the committee found that Newfoundland and Labrador has a progressive and fair taxation system. In considering total taxation in the province, including both provincial taxes and local/municipal taxes and fees, the Committee determined that the total tax burden in the province is generally in line with other jurisdictions. While the committee suggested the province is not yet in a position to reduce taxes, it concluded that changes to the tax mix could further improve the system.

News Releases

Review of Provincial Tax System and Plan to Eliminate Book Tax Announced

Independent Tax Review Committee Report Released

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

By March 31, 2018, our Government will explore opportunities to introduce International Entrepreneur and International Graduate Entrepreneur categories under the Provincial Nominee Program. In 2017-18, we will explore including these new categories with the Government of Canada, as the final decision to introduce these categories rests with the federal government. The International Graduate Entrepreneur category has the potential to enable international graduates from our post-secondary institutions, who decide to go on to start businesses in our province, to remain here and create economic opportunities for themselves and their employees.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• On December 20, the Provincial Government released application guides for two new business immigration categories under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) which will facilitate pathways to permanent residency for international entrepreneurs who wish to move to or remain in Newfoundland and Labrador and operate their business in the province:
  • The International Graduate Entrepreneur – open to graduates of Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic who wish to create or co-own and manage a business in the province; and,
  • The International Entrepreneur – open to prospective immigrants who wish to settle in the province and be engaged in the daily operation of a business they create, join or take over.
• An Expression of Interest process for the International Graduate Entrepreneur category opened on January 16, 2019 and is open to interested graduate entrepreneurs on an ongoing basis. The application guide and forms are available here.
• The fourth Expression of Interest process for the International Entrepreneur category will be open from August 9 – 15, 2019. Further information on the Expression of Interest process, including the application guide and forms are available here.

News Releases:

Provincial Government Releases Application Guides for Business Immigration Categories

Provincial Government to Welcome Third Round of Expressions of Interest for International Entrepreneurs

Provincial Government to Welcome Fourth Round of Expressions of Interest for International Entrepreneurs

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

Mining presents a strong opportunity to grow the province’s economy. Already a major economic contributor, mining is forecasted in 2018 to employ 6,000 people and generate $3.4 billion in mineral shipments. As evidenced by our world-class publicly available geoscience, significant potential exists for further exploration and development of vast mineral deposits, particularly in Labrador and in Central Newfoundland’s gold opportunities.

Minerals and metals are essential ingredients of a green and technologically advanced economy. Our government intends to seize this opportunity. With the growing popularity of electric vehicles and other new technologies that require metals such as nickel, copper and cobalt, which our province has in abundance, there is even greater potential for growth in our mining industry.

In 2018-19, in collaboration with the mining industry and community stakeholders, we will develop a strategic framework for growing the provincial mining sector in a manner that is responsible, sustainable, competitive and supportive of private-sector investments and job growth in our rural areas.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• On March 23, 2018, the Provincial Government and Mining Industry NL announced a Way Forward initiative to develop a provincial mineral strategy – a responsible, sustainable and competitive framework for exploration and mining growth.
• Over the past several months, there has been much discussion with stakeholders in the mining industry, including workshops in six locations throughout the province – Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. John’s, Springdale and Marystown and Stephenville.
• On November 2, 2018, the Provincial Government released Mining the Future 2030: A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Mining Industry. This industry development plan,  created in collaboration with Mining Industry NL, outlines 35 immediate (19), mid- (11) and long-term (5) actions with goal of strategically positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as a globally competitive, top tier jurisdiction for mineral exploration and development.
• Mining the Future 2030 recognizes four areas of focus for future actions:
  • Being competitive, with clear and efficient regulatory processes;
  • Advancing targeted public geoscience, marketing and education;
  • Promoting effective Indigenous and community engagement; and,
  • Pursuing innovation and emerging technologies.
• On March 8, 2019, the Provincial Government announced the reopening of the Beaver Brook Antimony Mine in central Newfoundland – creating approximately 100 new jobs for the people in the province. Some 160,000 tonnes of antimony ore per year will be mined at full production and processed into concentrate.

News Releases:

Building for Our Future: Premier Ball Announces Next Industry Sectors to be Developed in Phase Three of The Way Forward

Premier Ball Releases Mining the Future 2030 – A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Mining Industry

Premier Ball Welcomes Reopening of the Beaver Brook Mine and Creation of Jobs in Central Newfoundland

https://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2019/nr/0703n02.aspx

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Women are greatly under-represented in all types of leadership roles, including managerial positions, in politics and on boards. The province loses an opportunity for valuable insight and expertise when women do not meaningfully participate in, or are excluded from, leadership opportunities. In 2018-19, to address this important issue, our government will:

• Implement a government-community leadership initiative that seeks to increase the number of women in leadership roles; and
• Host a conference on the status of women in Newfoundland and Labrador that facilitates knowledge sharing and mentorship.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Over the past several months, in collaboration with the Public Engagement Division, the Women’s Policy Office has undertaken a series of engagement sessions with a number of stakeholders in the community as a means to inform the next steps in women in leadership in Newfoundland and Labrador. The engagement was inclusive in design and targeted a broad range of stakeholders including those from community, business, labour, youth, as well as representatives from Indigenous Governments and Organizations. Feedback is being used to inform an initiative which aims to increase women in leadership roles in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Planning is underway for a women in leadership-related event to be held in the coming months. Details will be released as they are confirmed.

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

A viable commercial fishing industry is important to the development and sustainability of our economy, in particular in rural communities where the fishery is often a main employer. In 2018-19, our government will engage industry stakeholders, the federal government and other provincial and territorial governments to seek market access and value-added opportunities for fish and seafood products to increase employment and the economic benefits of available fish resources. We will also hold a focus group with representatives of the fishing industry to discuss the opportunities presented by the Atlantic Fisheries Fund.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• On December 5, 2018, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, joined by provincial and territorial partners launched the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund, a new cost-shared fund (70% federal and 30% provincial territorial) to promote market access and development for the fish and seafood industry. The fund will enable provinces and territories to support their industries’ priority projects and help Canadians working in the fish and seafood sector by creating jobs and developing more opportunities for Canadian products.
• The $42.85 million program will support the fish and seafood sectors in all participating provinces and territories by encouraging industry collaboration to promote high quality products.
• On December 5, 2018, the Provincial Government announced, in partnership with the Government of Canada, funding to support the fish and seafood sectors through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund.
• More than $18 million will fund investments and innovation in harvesting and handling technologies, seafood processing automation and modernization, and sustainable aquaculture production. The funding will also support fisheries research to increase our understanding of the impact of climate change on the productivity of our fisheries; including:
  • $3.7 million for the harvesting sector (54 projects) – new technology to improve on-board handling, harvesting efficiencies and quality;
  • $4.6 million for the processing sector (five projects) – new technology to improve product yield, quality and processing efficiencies;
  • $1.5 million for the aquaculture sector (four projects) – new technology for the shellfish sector and research for the salmonid sector;
  • $4.5 million innovation R&D (Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation – CCFI) – a three year commitment to support CCFI’s organizational infrastructure to engage with industry and develop and manage R&D projects to improve industry’s competitiveness, operational capabilities, efficiency and sustainability; and
  • $4.35 million science partnerships (Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research – CFER) – a five year commitment to improve stock assessment methodologies as well as research the implications of ecosystem changes for the province’s fisheries.  This will support decision-making processes with respect to the sustainable management of our fisheries resources, including the incorporation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management.  It will also support industry’s efforts in achieving and retaining fisheries eco-certification.

News Releases:

The Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador fund projects to boost sustainability in the fish and seafood sector

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Tourism product development includes the delivery of travel experiences that are desired by travelers and that highlight the unique aspects of a region to draw travelers to the destination. Our Government will lead the implementation of a new Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan that is based on research, industry input and the province’s core experience categories of nature and wilderness; people and culture; and, history and heritage.

In addition to the Provincial Plan, announced in Phase 1, our Government is also working with industry partners to implement five regional destination development plans. Our Government is preparing to release a Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan.

In 2017-18, our Government will:

• Continue implementation of the priorities of the regional Destination Development Plans;
• Establish brand experiences and tourism market readiness guidelines; and,
• Establish task teams and networks, and provide development/market readiness sessions for strategic experience categories (such as anchor attractions, festivals and events, craft, artistic experiences, food and winter tourism).

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Consultations were held with industry partners, including Hospitality NL and the five Regional Destination Management Organizations to develop the Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan.
• The Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan was released on May 1, 2017, with a goal of increasing the number of tourism experiences available in the province.
• Tourism Opportunities Sessions to provide Experience Development mentoring and guidance have been held with regional tourism stakeholders, including businesses, municipalities, non-profit organizations. As a result, the number of packages/experiences listed on Newfoundlandlabrador.com grew from 122 in 2016-17 to 236 in 2017-18.
• Regional Destination Development Implementation Committees have been formed and are implementing activities for priority initiatives in each of the five regions.
• Experience Networks and Task Teams have been established including the three UNESCO’s working group, Geological Treasures, Craft and Tourism Task Team, Artistic Experiences Network, Cultural Attractions Network; Music and Food Network, Winter Tourism stakeholders group, and Festivals and Events.
• Market-Readiness Guidelines have been developed for Destination Trails, Attractions, Food tourism experiences and Sense of Arrival. These guidelines are actively guiding tourism and business investments.
• Supports such as facilitation and coordination of priorities and opportunity management for five regional destination development plans are included (Labrador, Western, Central, Eastern and Northeast Avalon).
• In 2018, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation partnered with tourism stakeholders to offer tourism opportunities sessions. These meetings helped connect prospective and existing tourism businesses with growth opportunities throughout the province. The department and partners will continue to offer mentoring and training opportunities sessions in 2019.

News Releases

Experiences, Culture, and People Energize Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan

Provincial Government Investing in Destination Management Organizations

Provincial Government Invests in Season Extension Program

Governments Support Modernization and Growth of Tourism Business

Connecting to Grow Tourism Experiences and Opportunities

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

A co-operative is a business or other organization that is run jointly by its members. In many jurisdictions, co-operatives have proven to be incredibly important in driving business and economic activity and delivering key services. Co-operatives enable businesses and individuals to come together to satisfy market demands, create new opportunities and address sustainability.

There is significant opportunity to continue to grow the use of the co-op model by citizens in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our Government and the Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives (NLFC) have a formal partnership established to advance co-operative development. The key priority of this partnership is to enhance the development and promotion of the co-operative model to support business growth in rural communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This partnership expires in 2017, and Government will work to develop a renewed memorandum of understanding with NLFC by September 30, 2017. The new memorandum of understanding will include activities targeting credit unions that have a desire to participate.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• A renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on September 30, 2017. A joint work plan for the next year was developed and is currently being implementing.
• The MOU renews a working relationship between Government and NLFC, focuses on the engagement of more government staff in co-op development, encourages opportunities for co-ops and credit unions to become more engaged in the development of new co-op initiatives in their communities, and places a greater emphasis on targeted research and opportunity identification in sectors with high potential for co-op development.

News Releases

Provincial Government Signs New Partnership Agreement with Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

By June 30, 2018, our Government will invest $200,000 in an enhanced revolving loan program with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) to provide micro loans to young entrepreneurs. To ensure access for entrepreneurs at various stages of business development, this will include short term businesses, such as a summer operation, as well as long term business proposals. The fund will provide youth with access to loans from very small amounts up to a new level in the range of $5,000 – $10,000. This increased level is intended to be a catalyst for advancing innovative business ideas, succession planning opportunities and developing entrepreneurial leaders. The fund will provide financing to youth who would otherwise not receive support because of age, risk or stage of business, and will be designed as a launching point for access to services from various sources. This includes business counselling and access to other seed capital opportunities. A strategic effort will be made to increase promotion of the fund to youth in all regions of the province.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• This program was launched with CBDCs in June 9, 2017.
• Since the announcement of the Drive program administered by the CBDCs, and as part of TCII’s overall commitment of $425,000 for this project, 36 loans have been issued to young entrepreneurs totalling $344,000 (including 31 start-ups and five expansions).
• A total of 49 full time positions and 12 part time positions have been maintained or created, as reported by the businesses.

News Releases

Provincial Government Supports Young Entrepreneurs

Implemented

Way Forward Commitment:

To enhance regional innovation potential and competitiveness, our Government will coordinate and facilitate five Regional Innovation Systems pilot projects. The Regional Innovation Systems pilots will foster and support regional cooperation, build networks to support innovation, advance regional opportunities and promote and facilitate information sharing and collective action. The pilots do not include more operational structures, but rather a better way of advancing economic development through more formal cooperative approaches among existing players. Building on the work announced in Phase 1, by September 30, 2017, our Government will begin implementation of the five Regional Innovation Systems pilot projects located in:

• Southern Labrador and Great Northern Peninsula related to fisheries and tourism;
• Corner Brook and surrounding area related to forestry and agriculture;
• Gander and surrounding area related to aerospace and defence;
• Burin Peninsula with connections to Clarenville and area related to industrial technology development; and,
• Avalon region related to ocean technology.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation completed detailed research about Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) models, consulted various stakeholders, and developed an implementation framework.
• Information sessions were delivered, which focused on education and awareness about an RIS model for the pilot projects. More than 200 people participated.
• A Steering Committee is established for each pilot. Each Committee will explore challenges and opportunities for existing and new technologies that are driven by innovation, research, development and strategic partnerships.
• Over 80 steering committee members, including 35 businesses, are participating in the pilot projects, with representation from Memorial University, College of the North Atlantic and ACOA on each pilot.
• The goal of each committee is to identify two to four common and attainable initiatives that will lead to innovation in the sector/region.

Implemented

Way Forward Commitment:

For different reasons, some adults did not have the opportunity to build a strong educational foundation early in their lives. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians must be supported to acquire new skills throughout their lives in order to obtain and maintain employment. Literacy supports are therefore essential to building a strong and inclusive workforce. In 2018-19, our government will develop a new Adult Literacy Action Plan. Our approach will consider how to build an even more empowered, skilled and ready workforce for our increasingly knowledge-based economy.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Five public consultation sessions were held throughout the province in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor, and St. John’s.
• Discussions were also held with adult learners, education and training facilities, public libraries, community organizations, Indigenous governments and organizations, technology firms, and unions and organizations representing labour and employers.
• Submissions and comments were received from over 50 organizations.
• In total, almost 300 individuals participated in a consultation or submitted their input in writing.
• A review of feedback and comments from consultations has been completed.
• Jurisdictional research of adult literacy initiatives throughout Canada has been completed.
• On October 17, 2019, the Provincial Government launched The Way Forward on Adult Literacy, a five-year action plan to help adult Newfoundlanders and Labradorians get the literacy skills they need to lead healthier, more productive lives and fully participate in the province’s economy.
• Supported by $60 million in funding over five years, the Adult Literacy Plan identifies 30 actions the Provincial Government and its partners will take to provide adult learners with increased opportunities to strengthen their literacy skills by improving the province’s adult literacy system. These actions will:
  • Raise awareness about adult literacy programs and services;
  • Increase access to adult literacy programs and services;
  • Enhance programs and services for adult literacy;
  • Improve employability of persons with literacy challenges; and,
  • Measure progress of provincial adult literacy.

News Releases:

Provincial Government Provides Update on Development of Adult Literacy Action Plan
Provincial Government Launches The Way Forward on Adult Literacy

Implemented

Way Forward Commitment:

A sense of arrival is the welcome and warmth that visitors feel once they have reached their destination. Ideally, this sense of arrival is in keeping with the perceptions generated through the promotional activities and in meeting expectations of the vacation experience in the mind of the visitor prior to the trip.

By March 31, 2018, our Government will collaborate with tourism operators, municipalities and transportation organizations at major entry points, gateways, hubs and attractions to establish common sense of arrival goals and priorities and initiate partnership activities. This collaboration will include developing market-readiness guidelines that outline best practices for welcome, beautification opportunities, wayfinding, signage and other visitor services.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Provincial Government collaborated with industry partners and tourism stakeholders to establish a standard sense of arrival goals, priorities and initiate partnership activities.
• Sense of Arrival Market-Readiness Guidelines were developed to guide tourism and business investments. It is anticipated these guidelines will be available to the public in early 2019.

News Releases

Provincial Government Investing in Destination Management Organizations

Provincial Government Invests in Season Extension Program

Improving the Sense of Arrival to Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Launches Inflight Content Channel on Air Canada

 

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

The JobsNL Wage Subsidy Program provides funding to private-sector and non-profit employers to create long-term or seasonal employment opportunities, particularly for those who have recently graduated from a post-secondary program, who live with a disability, or who receive Income Support. In 2018-19, our government will announce improvements to the JobsNL Wage Subsidy to ensure that the program better meets the needs of new and small to medium-sized businesses and those seeking employment.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Budget 2018 allocates $196,000 for the Student Mentorship Program, which is supported by federal funding, and was developed in response to discussions with stakeholders at industry summits held throughout the province.
• The employer-driven program will support summer career development opportunities in the agriculture, aquaculture, technology, and oil and gas sectors. The Provincial Government made these sectors a focus for development as part of The Way Forward, which included commitments to help residents explore careers in these fields.
• The Student Mentorship program will be expanded to all seven priority sectors for 2019-20 with an increased budget of $240,000.
• $500,000 was announced at the Forestry Summit on January 28, 2019, for a new pilot program, the Employment Enhancement Program. The new program is designed to increase employment opportunities for the forestry, aquaculture, agriculture and fishing sectors for employers engaged in value-added secondary processing. The program will provide a 60% wage subsidy up to $12/hr. for a duration of up to 28 weeks plus a $3,000 training allowance.
• On March 11, 2019, the Provincial Government announced changes to the JobsNL Wage Subsidy program through which employers across the province will have the benefit of choosing between two subsidy options.
  • For the first time under the JobsNL Wage Subsidy program, a completion bonus will be available to both the employer and employee if the employee is still employed ten weeks after the subsidy period ends.
  • The enhancements to the JobsNL Wage Subsidy program are designed to encourage job creation and long-term attachment to the workforce for individuals hired through the program.
  • The program will be open to applications on April 1, 2019.

News Releases:

Provincial Government Now Accepting Applications for New Student Mentorship Program

Provincial Government Enhances JobsNL Wage Subsidy Program

Implemented

Way Forward Commitment:

Women’s Employment Plans are designed to improve the participation of women in employment on commercial and industrial projects. These Plans support our Government’s commitment to reduce the gender wage gap by increasing women’s access to a wider range of employment, particularly in trades and technical occupations. Our Government will establish requirements for Women’s Employment Plans on infrastructure projects within the province and will commence implementation in 2017-18.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Corner Brook Long Term Care project included a requirement for a Women’s Employment Plan. The contract has been awarded and the plan is now being finalized in consultation with the Women’s Policy Office.
• The Corner Brook Acute Care Hospital project and the Central Long Term Care project, are both in active procurement and will include a requirement for a Women’s Employment Plan.

News Releases:

Corner Brook Long-Term Care Project Moves to Request for Proposals Stage

Provincial Government Recognizes International Women’s Day

Building for Our Future

 

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Our Government will assess and promote new areas of mineral resources to stimulate increased activity in the mining sector. This will include increasing exploration and development through targeted promotional activities and development of a core digitization process (electronic format) to allow broader sharing of the province’s core sample information to companies worldwide. We will also complete an assessment of mineral exploration potential based on regional and economic development considerations to identify priority areas for resource data collection and promotion. In 2017-18, the core digitization process will be initiated and priority resource assessments will be undertaken.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Provincial Government continues to work toward increasing the amount of photography of bedrock core that is available.
• The core storage program is also acquiring photo-manipulation software to enhance the quality and consistency of the photography in terms of its effectiveness as reference information for mineral exploration work; other methods are also being explored to generate photographic data.
• The Department of Natural Resources has consulted with the members of the Office of Applied Research at College of the North Atlantic, and has provided access to the core storage facilities, as development and testing of digital core photography automation processes for use in mineral exploration continue. College of the North Atlantic, in partnership with Memorial University, have completed an ACOA Atlantic Innovation Fund proposal to develop a Hyperspectral Scanning Unit (HSU) to support mineral exploration, drill core digitization and ore processing optimization. Budget 2019 outlined provincial support for this HSU.
• The next step is to develop a plan to allow direct access to the core storage database via the Geoscience Atlas.

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Our Government will increase revenue generated from international education in the K-12 system. A review of options to expand our province’s K-12 International Education Program will include the feasibility of working with other jurisdictions to establish Newfoundland and Labrador-administered schools abroad, selling or licensing the use of our K-12 education curriculum to other jurisdictions, developing e-learning education services for access by international students and increasing the number of international students studying in our K-12 schools. By March 31, 2018, Government will have determined a model for governing the delivery of the province’s K-12 International Education Program.

Further, K-12 students who graduate with a high school diploma based on our provincial curriculum may choose to later study at one of our province’s post-secondary institutions, as this is a natural pathway. As an important source of potential future residents for the province, international post-secondary students present a real economic opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador. Post-secondary institutions attract talent and provide a gateway to our province for many motivated, innovative and entrepreneurial individuals from around the world. We will work with Memorial University, College of the North Atlantic and private post-secondary institutions in the province to assist in enhancing post-secondary institutions’ efforts to attract and retain international students and graduates in Newfoundland and Labrador, and explore opportunities to provide international students with easier pathways for immigrating to our province.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Government has made significant progress in determining the feasibility of implementing a model for governing the delivery of a K-12 International Education Program and is currently reviewing options.
• The Department has engaged with the NL English School District (NLESD) to expand its current International Student Program by up to 30 per cent with changes to be implemented in September 2019.
• In December, Government announced approximately $392,000 in funding through the Labour Market Partnerships Program to support two pilot employment programs for international students and graduates: the Student Internship Pilot, and My First Job in Newfoundland and Labrador Pilot. These programs are being delivered by the Association for New Canadians and will help international students secure employment and expand their professional networks, which will support their pathways to permanent residency and retention in Newfoundland and Labrador.

News Releases

Provincial Government Announces Pilot Employment Programs for International Students

Implemented

Way Forward Commitment:

To increase the number of social enterprises in Newfoundland and Labrador and enhance services for existing social enterprises, our Government will develop a Social Enterprise Action Plan, including long-term strategic goals supported by an annual work plan. Social enterprise development is another innovation tool for advancing regional growth opportunities to benefit the economy, support rural sustainability and encourage entrepreneurial governance models and service delivery. Our Government will release a social enterprise action plan by May 31, 2017.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII) completed a public engagement process and identified areas where trends emerged in the document, “What We Heard: Social Enterprise,” released in November 2017.
• A total of 129 stakeholders participated and provided input on ways to address social enterprise development.
• The Social Enterprise Action Plan was released on May 30, 2018 and outlines 25 actions to be implemented over the next three years.
• TCII has worked with existing partners to ensure a collaborative approach to training and development. For example, TCII has helped to support Smallwood Crescent Community Centre Inc. with its capacity building and marketing goals. This support demonstrates how effective partnerships can assist organizations in achieving their social enterprise developmental needs in a systematic and deliberate way.
• TCII has increased awareness of the provincial research activities and invested in skills and development training sessions for social enterprise through TCII’s Community Capacity Building Program. For example, TCII partnered with Shorefast Foundation to support a workshop on Fogo Island that focused on social enterprise development in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
• TCII has worked with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives to implement the delivery of joint co-operative/ social enterprise development training. This has included training sessions in Corner Brook and Port aux Basques in October 2018 and upcoming sessions in St. John’s, Clarenville, and Gander.
• TCII has increased awareness of existing financing available for social enterprises and demonstrate how it meets the needs of social enterprise. TCII has partnered with other lending organizations such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency  to support social enterprises. Through the Regional Development Fund, TCII has invested in a number of social enterprises such as O’Brien Farm Foundation Inc., SmartICE Inc., TheGreenRock.ca, Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, Smallwood Crescent Community Centre, St. John’s Farmers Market, and Jimmy Pratt Memorial Outreach Centre.
• TCII has connected with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ad Hoc Working Group on Social Innovation. This will assist in the overall goal of working with partners to help social enterprises explore new approaches to financing, specifically Action 4 “Access to Financing and Capital” pillar. TCII will continue to monitor and explore commonalities, opportunities, barriers and solutions as it relates to the new Federal fund.

News Releases

Supporting Social Enterprise Development

Provincial Government Releases Social Enterprise Action Plan

Implemented

Way Forward Commitment:

Currently, our Government uses a Vendor of Record model that is comprised of partner organizations which have been approved to manage the majority of Government IT contracts. Accordingly, this model limits availability of related Government IT work to other interested companies. The new model will allow more companies to bid on Government IT work, thereby increasing competition and choice of vendor. By 2017-18, our Government will implement a Managed Service Provider approach, which will expand opportunities for local vendors to conduct work on public sector IT initiatives.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• A three-year agreement with Flextrack Inc. was signed on November 4, 2016 to implement a new Managed Service Provider (MSP) model. This new model allows more vendors to bid on public sector Information Technology and Information Management initiatives.
• Since implementation, 82 vendors have registered to compete for Information Technology professional services opportunities.Prior to introducing the MSP model, only three consortia representing nine companies were able to bid on IT professional services opportunities.
• The number of new companies that have been successful in doing business with the OCIO is 39.

Way Forward Commitment:

Building on our commitment from Phase 1, our Government has modernized the public procurement framework and expanded opportunities for local businesses. Our Government introduced public procurement legislation last fall, which provides increased transparency, consistency and flexibility within our procurement practices and ensures an open and competitive bidding process. In 2017-18, our Government will introduce regulations under the new Public Procurement Act that will increase bidding thresholds to align with trade agreement commitments. An increase in thresholds will provide greater opportunity for acquisitions below this value to be sourced locally within Newfoundland and Labrador. Local suppliers will also realize benefits through increased opportunities to bid on Government services that were once excluded from procurement legislation. This new legislation will build demand for the products and services of local businesses.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Public Procurement Act received Royal Assent on December 14, 2016 and was proclaimed on March 24, 2018; additional provisions related to supplier debriefs, complaints and supplier performance came into effect September 24, 2018.
• Most professional services previously not included in the Public Tender Act are subjected to greater oversight.
• The Act shifts the focus from getting the best price to the best value for money.
• Regulations have been published in the NL Gazette.
• On July 29, the Provincial Government announced that a contract has been awarded to Merx Network Inc. to implement and manage an electronic procurement solution for e-bidding. The new e-procurement system, which is expected to be implemented by March 2020, supports the ability to build, view, respond and evaluate public tenders online. The system will be a “one-stop” single site of procurement opportunities in the public sector by improving access to other opportunities that are posted outside government departments.

News Releases

Minister Introduces New Act Respecting Procurement by Public Bodies

New Public Procurement Act to be Proclaimed Next Month

New Procurement Act Now in Effect

Additional Provisions of Public Procurement Act Now in Effect

Key Milestone Achieved in Procurement Modernization

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

By March 31, 2018, our Government will develop and launch a pilot project to improve recycling and utilization of non-renewable resources such as road base and sub-base, concrete, asphalt and mine tailings for use in various other applications. In particular, these non-renewable resources will be repurposed for quarry applications, such as use as quarry material and/or to support the rehabilitation of abandoned quarry sites. As part of this pilot, we will identify a priority list of sites requiring rehabilitation and coordinate work efforts with residents/companies to implement recycling initiatives. The results of the pilot project will be used to establish criteria for future program development.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Department of Natural Resources (NR) has worked with a company and the Environmental Assessment Division of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment (MAE) on a plan to repurpose kelp derived from St. Bride’s Harbour in a quarry permit authorized by NR. The project was registered for environmental assessment and two NR staff supported the company through participation on an environmental preview committee to determine the impact of using kelp for the rehabilitation of quarries. NR will be involved in any monitoring of the quarry rehabilitation as it progresses.
• NR is currently partnering with the MAE and a local company to develop a project that involves using remediated soils for rehabilitation in a local quarry area and diverting the soil from the local approved landfill. The soil will be used to backfill a portion of a road reservation that connects several individual quarry sites.

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

To improve the economic landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador, our Government will take a whole-of-government approach to creating the conditions necessary for new private sector job creation and economic growth. Building a sustainable economy is our top priority. Our Government’s primary focus is encouraging conditions that support private sector job creation and economic sustainability through private sector growth and entrepreneurship.

To oversee this process, our Government is immediately mandating a new Cabinet Committee on Jobs to lead our province’s economic recovery efforts. This committee of Ministers will serve as a forum to identify new whole-of-government opportunities to support private sector employment and economic growth. The Cabinet Committee on Jobs will seek the advice of provincial leaders, including private sector labour representatives and members of the province’s business community.

Further, each Minister and Government department will be expected to report on how their actions help create stronger conditions for economic and private sector job growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. This will encourage decision-making that places our economic future at the centre of all decisions.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Cabinet Committee on Jobs (CCOJ) was formally announced on May 9, 2017.
• To date, over 140 organizations have been engaged by the CCOJ to support targeted employment growth in the agriculture, aquaculture, technology and forestry sectors.
• As a result of these collaborative partnerships, since fall 2017, the agriculture sector has had 105 new agriculture entrant inquiries and 54 agriculture related Crown Land applications, and the aquaculture sector has freed up 462.3 hectares of water for new aquaculture development and have established many new collaboration opportunities.
• On March 23, 2018, new collaborative partnerships were announced to encourage growth and diversification in the mining and forestry sectors, and support the economic contributions of the community sector. Also on March 23, an initiative to increase the number of women in leadership positions was announced.
• On August 3, 2018, the Provincial Government signed agreements with the Government of Canada that will see Canada provide the province with over $900 million over six years to invest in their workers. This includes the province’s nearly $80 million share of the additional investments announced in Budget 2017. This increase means an estimated 13,000 more workers in Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit over the six years.
• On January 28, 2019, the Provincial Government, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Industry Association and forest sector stakeholders, launched the Forestry Sector Work Plan which contains 32 actions intended to diversify the forest industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, strengthen the provincial economy and support job creation.

News Releases

Unprecedented Partnerships with Industry to Drive Jobs and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador

Cabinet Committee on Jobs to Drive Economic Growth with the Provincial Technology Sector

Industry and Government Partnering to Realize the Potential of Sustainable Aquaculture Growth

Agriculture Industry and Provincial Government Fostering Fertile Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Government Working with Technology Sector to Outline Path for Further Growth

Building for Our Future: Premier Ball Announces Next Industry Sectors to be Developed in Phase Three of The Way Forward

Provincial Government Now Accepting Applications for New Student Mentorship Program

Federal and Provincial Governments Announce Agreement to Give Workers the Tools They Need to Find and Keep Good Jobs

Premier Ball Releases Mining the Future 2030 – A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Mining Industry

Provincial Government and Forest Industry Partners Launch Plan to Diversify Forest Sector

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

In order to grow the economy and retain our workforce, it is important that we have access to reliable and up-to-date labour market information that allows us to predict the job opportunities, training needs and skills gaps of the future. In 2018-19, our government will develop a Comprehensive Human Resource Plan guided by labour market analysis to forecast future job opportunities. This plan will consider the needs of Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, youth, older workers, women and newcomers to the province.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Provincial Government, via the Labour Market Partnership program, Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, is presently working with the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association-NOIA (via the Petroleum Industry Human Resource Committee – PIHRC), the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association-NAIA, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture-NLFA to study sector human resources needs and demands.  Research studies are examining the current and potential needs for each sector, engaging with employers and other stakeholders on topics including skills and training gaps.
• In the near future, both the Technology (including the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries-NATI, the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association-NEIA, Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defense Association-ACADA, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (NL)-CME) and Forestry (Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Industry Association) sectors are anticipated to also begin exploring their human resource needs.
• Provincial sector research will help in developing more informed and targeted labour market information for use both by government, sectors and training institutions. Using research results allows for a better understanding of the ongoing and potential human resource sector needs while enabling industry, government and training to develop products and services based upon evidence and industry engagement. Outcomes will take the form of new labour market information products such as occupational profiles, influencing post-secondary training delivery, and enhancing how supports are provided to job seekers.
• The above work, as well as engagement and collaboration with a number of other priority sector associations, industry and stakeholder groups, will inform the development of the Comprehensive Human Resource Plan.  The Comprehensive Human Resource Plan will be based upon understanding the Newfoundland and Labrador labour market and assessment and analysis of labour demand, labour supply, training and skills, and labour market information (LMI). From there, actions and outcomes will be identified for industry, government, and academia stakeholders.
• On November 15, 2019, the Provincial Government released The Way Forward on Workforce Development – a 36-action plan for strengthening the province’s workforce and supporting a productive, knowledge-based economy.
  • Supported by approximately $25 million in government funding, the plan provides an understanding of current labour demands and identifies potential skills gaps and future opportunities for economic growth. It also considers the unique employment needs of Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, youth, older workers, women and newcomers to the province.
  • The plan aims to better prepare individuals for skills and training needs, better inform and share labour market information, and better support workers and employers to create matches to meet the skills demands of the labour market.

News Releases:

Federal and Provincial Governments Announce Agreement to Give Workers the Tools They Need to Find and Keep Good Jobs

Provincial Government and Aquaculture Industry Take Action to Support Sustainable Aquaculture Growth

Provincial Government Launches The Way Forward on Workforce Development

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Artists in Newfoundland and Labrador bring high levels of technical proficiency to their disciplines and collaborate with a community of global artists at the top levels of their fields. In 2017, our government introduced the Status of the Artist Act, which recognizes the contributions that artists make to our province’s economic and social well-being, as well as our collective health, culture and quality of life. The Status of the Artist Act will recognize and support professional artists and ensure fair compensation. The Act encourages everyone, with government departments and agencies leading by example, to pay artists fairly and equitably based on existing industry pay scales for their genre (i.e., visual artists, writers, musicians).

It is important to support professional artists and to maximize the benefits from this economic activity that employs nearly 5,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Through a collaborative effort with interested professional artists, in 2018-19 our government will pilot an Arts Accelerator Program to assist emerging and established professional artists in evaluating their market presence and to introduce new tools in managing, promoting and developing their artistic practice. In doing so, the hope is that artists can expand their audience, engage in future planning, and ultimately allow for sustainable creative processes.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Status of the Artist Act is intended to enhance the recognition and support of professional artists and to ensure fair compensation.
• The Act encourages everyone, with government departments and agencies leading by example, to pay artists fairly and equitably based on existing industry pay scales for their genre (i.e., visual artists, writers, musicians).
• The Status of the Artist Act was assented to December 7, 2017.

News Releases:

Provincial Government to Implement Status of the Artist Legislation

Provincial Government Engages Arts Community on Status of the Artist Legislation

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

The recent government-industry partnerships used to create employment, growth and diversification plans for the agriculture, aquaculture and technology sectors are examples of our government’s commitment to collaboration to diversify the economy. Supporting and working with the private sector is, however, only one part of the picture – the community sector also generates significant employment and its members, both paid and volunteer, are helping to build healthy, dynamic and prosperous communities.

In 2018-19, our government will lead a process to recognize the social and economic contribution of the community sector through a work plan process in collaboration with the Community Sector Council and community organizations throughout our province. Also in 2018-19, our government will deliver on its commitment to begin implementation of multi-year core funding for community groups. Multi-year grants will eliminate the burden of applying for funding on an annual basis and will allow community groups to focus more on what they do best – serving the diverse needs and interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• On April 25, 2017, our Government announced phase 1 of the multi-year approach.
• Twenty-two community groups representing a broad cross-section of society have been selected to participate in phase one of multi-year funding. Multi-year funding will deliver funding for three years, up to $20 million maximum per year in total, to the selected community groups.
• Accountability requirements and an evaluation plan will be developed, which will help to determine if decisions made by selected community groups are fiscally responsible and are meeting the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
• A diverse Steering Committee comprising of over 25 representatives from Provincial and Federal Government departments, post-secondary institutions and community sector organizations from throughout Newfoundland and Labrador was brought together to inform the development of a collaborative work plan on the community sector’s economic contributions.
• A comprehensive public and stakeholder engagement process was carried out to identify issues, as well as related actions and opportunities, facing community sector organizations. This process reached about 275 individuals and included nine in-person sessions (St. John’s, Flat Bay, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor, Trinity, Marystown, Carbonear, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Wabush), two targeted-group sessions and an online component through EngageNL.
• On April 16, 2019, the Provincial Government released The Way Forward with Community: A Sector Work Plan to Advance the Social and Economic Contribution of Community Organizations. The joint plan contains 31 actions and was developed in collaboration with the Community Sector Council NL and other community sector partners.
• On October 28, 2019, Premier Ball, Ministers Dempster, Haggie, Mitchelmore and Davis, and Parliamentary Secretary Stoodley attended the Community Sector Council Summit where they participated in a series of panel discussions with community-led organizations.
• On October 29, 2019, the Provincial Government began consultations seeking input from community organizations including current recipients, the broader sector and the general public, to help inform next steps on one-window, multi-year funding. The online questionnaire will be available until November 22, 2019

News Releases

Core Funding for Community Groups Maintained in 2017-18

Community Groups Selected for Phase One of Multi-Year Funding

Provincial Government Announces Core Funding for Community Grants in 2019-20 and Provides Update on Multi-Year Approach

Provincial Government Releases Work Plan to Advance the Social and Economic Contribution of the Community Sector

Media Advisory: Premier Ball, Ministers to Join Community Organizations at Sector Summit

Provincial Government Seeks Feedback on Multi-Year Funding for Community Sector

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

In the 2016 Speech from the Throne, our Government committed to resetting the provincial innovation agenda by developing a long-term approach to expand the pool and capacity of the province’s economic wealth generators, innovation and growth-focused businesses. Through the new Business Innovation Agenda, our Government is aiming to create the conditions that enable the province’s innovation-driven businesses to grow and diversify. Our Government will ensure that information technology is recognized as an enabling platform across all sectors. The Business Innovation Agenda is one component of an enhanced economic development approach that will include:

• Refocused trade activity, such as trade missions which are more sector focused and firm centric;
• The development of a Regional Trade Network; and,
• Working with local firms to identify opportunities and challenges arising from new trade agreements.

A Regional Trade Network will be established by May 31, 2017 and target sectors will be identified in summer 2017. Also in summer 2017, our Government will release the Business Innovation Agenda.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Business Innovation Agenda was released on November 8, 2017.
• The goal of the Agenda is to expand the pool and capacity of innovation and growth-focused businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• The Agenda has four focus areas: Product Development and Commercialization; Productivity; Growth and Internationalization; and, Workforce Skills and Talent.
• The plan sets targets to accelerate the business growth of eleven firms; and, collaborate with the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and technology businesses to scale 20 technology firms annually.
• The Innovation and Business Investment Corporation continues to work with the Provincial Government and its partners to implement the Business Innovation Agenda and identify priorities to advance innovation in NL.
• A Regional Trade Network was established on October 17, 2017 and meets quarterly to share information, identify gaps and opportunities to support firms and to help improve communication and collaboration among all resource and support providers.
• Target industry sectors identified comprise the netowkr’s constituted membership that includes representation from the following industry/sectors:
  • ICT
  • Ocean Technology
  • Environmental Industries
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Oil & Gas
  • Mining
  • Fisheries and Seafood
  • Manufacturing
• In addition to the above target industry sectors, advancing Women in International Business is a priority for the group.

News Releases

Provincial Government Establishes Regional Trade Network

Provincial Government Launches Business Innovation Agenda

 

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

Our Government is committed to improved efficiencies and services with respect to its public facing and internal business processes while ensuring the highest standards for environmental protection and land use planning. In 2017-18, we will review a number of key existing regulatory and legislative permitting and licensing processes in an effort to better align with Lean best practices and process improvement tools. The review process will support more timely approvals for clients and stakeholders, including municipalities, individuals and companies seeking zoning changes within protected road zones and individuals, companies and industry involved in development, technology and business ventures requiring permits or approvals from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment. This review will examine regulatory and legislative requirements associated with specific permits and licenses, business processes, timelines, IT infrastructure, public interfaces and service standards across Government.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• In 2017-18, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment reviewed a number of key existing regulatory and legislative permitting and licensing processes related to land use planning and water resource management to better align with Lean best practices and process improvement tools. This review examined regulatory and legislative requirements associated with specific permits and licenses, business processes, timelines, IT infrastructure, public interfaces and service standards across Government. As a result a number of recommendations to improve business process efficiencies and service delivery were developed.
• In an effort to improve timely approvals, tangible deliverables have included: increased delegated authorities for various matters under the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000, including registration of municipal plans and amendments to protected road zone plans; and elimination of the policy that requires municipalities to enter into Limit of Service Agreements with the province for infrastructure investment. Enhancements to the water resources permitting information management systems have been identified. The permitting system has been streamlined and work is ongoing to improve the ENTRACK (Environmental Permits Tracking System). The department is working with the Office of the Chief Information Officer to accomplish this initiative, which will continue in 2019.

News Releases:

Provincial Government Eliminating Limit of Service Agreements for Municipalities

Provincial Government Invested in Safe and Sustainable Communities in 2017

 

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

The objective of the environmental assessment process is to ensure that development proceeds in an environmentally acceptable manner. The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, in partnership with the appropriate regulatory and economic development departments, will conduct a review of Part X of the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 2003 in 2017-18. The last review of this process occurred in 2002. The review will begin with a jurisdictional scan of relevant legislation, business processes and best practices across Canada.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Throughout 2018-19, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment (MAE) worked towards initiating public consultations on the environmental assessment review.
• An advisory committee comprised of the Public Engagement Division of the Communications and Public Engagement Branch, the Environmental Assessment Division, and Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industries Association (NEIA) was established to support and guide the consultation process.
• An interdepartmental working group, comprised of key regulatory and economic development departments, completed a preliminary report on the results of a jurisdictional scan and best practices and a review of the current approach in comparison with the approach of other jurisdictions in key areas of the environmental assessment process.
• Officials are actively participating and engaged in the federal environment assessment review process. The provincial review process is giving careful consideration to the federal process and associated outcomes as its work continues.
• On April 4, 2019, MAE launched public consultations on the provincial environmental assessment processes and regulations. Data gathered will be used to modernize environmental assessments in a way that ensures environmental protection and effective industry regulation. An online discussion document and questionnaire has been made available on the engageNL platform and the department is also accepting written submissions by email and regular mail. The general public, as well as businesses, environmental, community, and industry stakeholders are encouraged to contribute to the consultations process. These consultations build on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents.

News Releases:

Consultations Begin on Provincial Environmental Assessment

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural sector is a significant part of our province’s economy, both in terms of output and employment. Arts and heritage are helping to build vibrant communities and regions throughout the province and contribute significantly to the province’s tourism product. The existing cultural plan is now ten years old. Our Government will engage arts, heritage and tourism stakeholders to launch a renewed plan for culture, including: examining accomplishments and gaps, cultural policy and programs, export development to enhance access to markets and develop a better understanding of the impact of the digital transformation on culture to address challenges and take advantage of new opportunities. Consultations will commence by March 31, 2018. By January 31, 2019, our Government will release a new Cultural Plan to support arts and heritage in the province.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Cultural Action Plan was released on April 17, 2019. It reflects the importance of culture to the provincial economy.
• Developed with input from stakeholders throughout the province, the action plan is a guide for cultural collaboration over the next five years.
• Actions outlined in the plan will be implemented using a phased approach. Seven actions will commence immediately with an aim to be completed by March 2020. The remaining actions will be completed by March 2024.
• Through this plan, the Provincial Government will continue its core support for the protection, development, promotion, and celebration of Newfoundland and Labrador’s vibrant culture.

News Releases:

Engaging Stakeholders on Development of a New Cultural Action Plan

Provincial Government Releases Cultural Action Plan

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Our government is looking for entrepreneurs and creative thinkers who are interested in coming up with new ways to solve problems. Innovation challenges are a creative and increasingly common use of public funding that calls on individuals, businesses and community partners to enter competitions to design new solutions to old problems. Innovation challenges encourage outside-the-box thinking to address social, economic or technological problems, where no solution exists or where current solutions are inadequate. To help drive innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador, our government will launch its first innovation challenge in 2018-19 through the Newfoundland and Labrador Innovation Council. Innovation challenges have the potential to spur new business activity and investment.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• TCII has established an internal working group to prepare program guidelines and determine the innovation challenges for the 2018-19 workplan. The first Innovation Challenge will be issued in Spring 2019.

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

Our government is strategically targeting sectors of our economy to support growth and diversification, including mining, forestry, oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and technology. We have taken steps to attract more investment activity in these sectors. In the agriculture sector, for example, we have made more than 64,000 hectares of new Crown land available for farming, which provides strategic opportunities for investment.

Further, the recent favourable private-sector response to a Request for Proposals to lease the Bull Arm fabrication site points to the interest in, and potential of, targeted and strategic investment attraction activities. In 2018-19, our government will align resources to target key sectors and identify priority business opportunities and markets to advance economic development in our province.

Way Forward Commitment:

• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has announced priority sectors for economic growth and job creation. These sectors include mining, forestry, oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, community, social enterprises, aquaculture and technology (information technology, aerospace and defence, environmental industries and manufacturing).
• The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources (FLR) is currently working on a report to identify potential gaps in the Aquaculture Services and Supply Sector.
• In 2018-19 FLR entered into a new FPT Agriculture Framework Agreement, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, to invest $37 million over five years for the NL agriculture and agrifoods industry.  Investment will support new entrants, secondary processing, economic growth, and food self-sufficiency.
• The Provincial Government, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Industry Association and forest sector stakeholders, launched the Forestry Sector Work Plan – a roadmap of 32 actions intended to diversify the forest industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, strengthen the provincial economy and support job creation, on January 28, 2019.
• The Department of Natural Resources (NR) has launched Mining the Future 2030. An initiative of The Way Forward, this industry development plan was created through collaboration with Mining Industry NL, with the goal of strategically positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as a globally competitive, top tier jurisdiction for mineral exploration and development.
•  In January 2017, the Oil and Gas Industry Development Council was established to create a long-term vision for the province’s oil and gas industry, with a focus on promoting development, competitiveness and sustainability. The council began to discuss opportunities and actions required to grow the oil and gas industry, with a vision that is driven by an innovative, sustainable, local industry that is globally competitive, environmentally responsible, and maximizes benefits to the people of the province. In February 2018, the Provincial Government released Advance 2030 – A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industry.
• In a globally competitive, capital-intensive industry where jurisdictions around the world compete for investment Newfoundland and Labrador supported the development of the national Canada Minerals Metals Plan with an anticipated launch at the upcoming 2019 Prospectors and Developer Association of Canada (PDAC) conference to align a number of priority initiatives to advance our sector competitiveness.
• The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation supported the Invest NL conference, with attendance of 135 people, including 20 speakers, over 25 startups and students, 20+ pitchers, and 20+ investors both local and from off the island.

News Releases:

Provincial Government Embarks on New Economic Growth Strategy Through The Way Forward

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

We are positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as a strategic and straightforward place to do business. One key step that we have taken in this regard is the streamlining of business and innovation supports for companies. By making it easier to avail of provincial services, we are helping to attract new firms to our province and retain those already doing business here.

In 2017, our government launched InnovateNL, a single-window service delivery approach to innovation programs. In 2018-19, we will pilot a streamlined application process for innovation supports that will reduce administrative burden for established clients.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation is currently working to integrate and renew policies associated with its business and innovation programming. This includes a client-centric approach to improving internal business processes and further simplified access for clients.
• The Departments of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and Natural Resources are co-administering the Innovation and Business Development Fund, ensuring coordination with the programs of the Innovation and Business Investment Corporation.

News Releases:

Premier Ball Welcomes Proposals for the Innovation and Business Development Fund

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

In 2017-18, our Government will work with existing training providers to pilot the development and delivery of online learning for select block training to ensure apprentices have the option to continue to work while participating in required training. Five trades with a high number of registered apprentices have been selected for the pilot: plumber, construction electrician, welder, automotive service technician and carpenter.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• As committed in The Way Forward, the department strengthened apprenticeship training through more flexible delivery models that included transferring in-class block training to an online format. This was achieved in collaboration with Academy Canada and CNA. Online training in each of the five trades was developed in 2017-18 and will be available during the next training year, offered in addition to the existing in-class training options. The five trades with online content are
  • Plumber, Construction Electrician, Welder and Carpenter at College of the North Atlantic; and
  • Automotive Service Technician at Academy Canada.
• The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division has finalized its training schedule for 2018-19. Course offerings include online delivery for the five trades selected for online delivery.
• Through an investment of $1,743,000, all five trades selected for online delivery will have two blocks of curriculum transferred to online learning formats. This will provide an opportunity for apprentices to continue to work while completing the in-class portion of their block training.
• All five courses are underway, with a total of 40 students participating to-date:
  • Plumber: Jan 7, 2018 to May 10, 2019 – six students
  • Construction Electrician: Nov. 5, 2018 to April 5, 2018 – nine students
  • Carpenter: Nov. 5, 2018 to April 5, 2019 – nine students
  • Welder: Jan. 21, 2019 to June 14, 2019 – 11 Students
  • Automotive Service Technician: Sept 22, 2018 – Feb. 15, 2019 – five students
• The Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour has allocated additional funding to continue to support the transfer of apprenticeship in-class curriculum to an online format for 2019-20.

News Releases

Provincial Government Develops Online Training for Apprentices

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Technology presents significant employment and business growth opportunities for our province. In 2018-19, our government will capitalize on the potential of technology to create jobs for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by positioning the province for technological excellence and innovation. Our government will continue implementing The Way Forward on Technology through actions such as prioritizing the technology sector for Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program supports, and providing supports for unemployed skilled trade workers to retrain for technology-related occupations.

In 2018-19, we will also work in partnership with industry and academia to seize local opportunities flowing from the recent federal announcement on the establishment of an Oceans Supercluster in the Atlantic region.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Provincial Government, in partnership with NATI, NEIA, CME, ACADA, NOIA and OceansAdvance, has established a methodology to define and measure technology sector development and growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.  As of 2017, the Newfoundland and Labrador technology sector includes 591 businesses employing 8, 739 employees.
• Since November 2017, seven individuals have been nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program, and an additional ten individuals through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, in technology-related occupations. These individuals were accompanied by 19 family members.
• On April 16, 2018, the Provincial Government announced $250,000 to support a partnership with Brilliant Labs to provide youth in grades K-12 with hands-on participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) focused activities.
• On April 16, 2018, the Provincial Government also provided $150,000 for professional learning and resources for schools and two itinerant teaching units to support Brilliant Labs work.
• On May 15, 2018, the Provincial Government announced support for Quorum Information Systems to develop a customer-facing tool that allows for a full auto purchasing process online. This will result in the creation of four new full-time positions.
• The Skills Development Program under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement provides financial supports for EI-eligible individuals who are seeking full-time post-secondary training in areas including technology-related occupations. Through the Skills Development Program, 101 individuals are presently enrolled in technology-related training.
• TCII is engaged with the Ocean Supercluster entity and partners to determine linkages to provincial priorities and opportunities.
• TCII is working with pan-Atlantic partners to develop international market opportunities for the region’s ocean technology sector under the collaborative federal-provincial Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement.
• On September 25, 2019, the Provincial Government announced the release of modernized aquaculture policies and procedures, including updated policies that set the stage for effectively managing our growing industry to become a world leader in environmentally sustainable aquaculture development. Highlights of the updates include:
  • policies that focus on industry accountability, environmental stewardship, and best practices that adhere to, or exceed, industry standards;
  • a strong, public reporting policy that enhances industry accountability and public trust;
  • clearer expectations around the selling and buying of licenses and sub-leasing processes; and
  • security bonding for any environmental remediation resulting from aquaculture activity.

News Releases:

Provincial Government Announces Support for Accelerated Growth Company
Premier Ball Announces Investment in Innovative Software Company
Fostering Youth Innovation through Coding and Technology
Refining Productivity through Innovative Methods
Ensuring Marine Safety with Innovative Solutions
Enhancing Sea Safety with Innovative Solutions
Provincial Government Working with Technology Sector to Outline Path for Further Growth
Modernized Aquaculture Policy and Procedures Established to Meet Needs of Growing Industry

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

In 2015, the aquaculture industry produced 22,815 metric tonnes (MT) valued at over $161 million and employed over 400 people. In 2016 there were 137 aquaculture-related licenses issued and active in the Newfoundland and Labrador licensing system; however, there were over 50 applications that were in the system for over four years (“stale” applications). These stale licenses were limiting areas for development for both existing and new entrants to the industry. Our government has committed to help the mussel sector grow to 10,750 metric tonnes and our salmonid sector to 50,000 metric tonnes in annual output. Achieving this goal will result in an increase in direct and indirect jobs across the province by 1,100 person-years.  In 2017-2018, our Government has taken measures to keep applications active and free up water area for aquaculture development. In addition, our Government is establishing rigorous criteria that companies must meet in order to maintain site applications and licenses in the Newfoundland and Labrador aquaculture licensing system.

In 2018-19, we will provide funding for technology innovation, research and infrastructure to support mussel and salmonid sector growth. We will work with our counterparts to identify an allocation under the Atlantic Fisheries Fund for this purpose.

Further, in 2018-19 our government will shift from an annual to a multi-year aquaculture licensing process. This shift will offer our aquaculture industry the benefit of longer-term focus, greater predictability and more time to devote to business growth, market development, job creation and safe product supply by reducing administrative burden. These actions will advance The Way Forward on Aquaculture.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• To date, 21 stale aquaculture applications (462 Ha) have been cancelled freeing up water area available for new aquaculture development. A policy and procedure review to establish rigorous criteria for site applications is underway.
• The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources (FLR) requested production plans for all inactive salmonid sites, including intentions for these sites for the next three years, how the sites fit into the rotation cycle, full details of contingency plans, and demonstration of the companies commitments to expand operations. The production plans are under review.
• A review of the Site Utilization Policy was completed.  The review investigated options to incorporate a more rigorous “use it or lose it” model for licensed aquaculture sites. Based upon of the results of the stale licenses policy a new policy was developed and communicated to stakeholders.  FLR met with salmonid companies in December 2017 and notified the companies of requirements to maintain licenses.
• FLR reviewed its “site hold policy” in line with its focus on “use it or lose it” policies; and as a result, FLR has cancelled its site hold policy.  As such, “site holds” will not hinder access for future interests.
• On September 14, 2018, the Provincial Government announced support of a $250 million Grieg NL aquaculture project with repayable financial assistance, following the project’s release from a comprehensive environmental assessment process. Some 15 conditions have been put in place to ensure the project proceeds in an environmentally-sustainable manner. This project is expected to help the province reach its growth target for aquaculture production to 50,000 metric tonnes, and generate more than 800 new jobs.
• On September 26, the Provincial Government announced, through the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA), an investment of just over $588,000 to develop labour market information tools and products for the province’s aquaculture industry. The initiative builds on over $396,000 provided to NAIA to support the development of an Aquaculture Recruitment and Retention Strategy. Both actions were identified in the Aquaculture Sector Work Plan, a partnership between government and industry, through the Cabinet Committee on Jobs, to accelerate growth in aquaculture in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• On December 5, 2018, the Provincial Government, in partnership with the Government of Canada, funding to support the fish and seafood sectors through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. Funding included more than $1.5 million for four projects focused on improved technology and increasing aquaculture research to improve sustainability.
• The funding – a total contribution of more than $18 million—will see investments and innovation in harvesting and handling technologies, seafood processing automation and modernization, and sustainable aquaculture production. The funding will also support fisheries research to increase our understanding of the impact of climate change on the productivity of our fisheries. More specifically we are making investments in:
  • Harvesting Sector – More than $3.7 million for 54 projects throughout the province, targeting all three cod stocks in Newfoundland and Labrador that support commercial and stewardship fisheries. Projects are focused on improving quality of landings through adoption of harvesting and on-board handling technologies for inshore groundfish fisheries.
  • Processing Sector – Over $4.6 million for five projects throughout the province. Projects focus on cutting-edge technology, automation, and improving quality and productivity in the processing sector.
  • Aquaculture Sector – More than $1.5 million for four projects focused on improved technology and increasing aquaculture research to improve sustainability.
  • Science Partnerships – Over $4.3 million for a five-year scientific research project focused on filling key knowledge gaps to improve stock assessments, contribute to fisheries certification, and inform strategies for managing the impacts of climate and productivity changes.
  • Innovation/Research and Development – $4.5 million for a multi-year applied research and development project focused on driving innovation in the seafood sector by linking the demands of industry to the capacities of universities.

News Releases

Industry and Government Partnering to Realize the Potential of Sustainable Aquaculture Growth

Minister Mitchelmore Announces Investment to Support Aquaculture Growth

New Aquaculture Project to Create Hundreds of Jobs on the Burin Peninsula

Minister Byrne Proclaims Aquaculture Week in Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Government and Aquaculture Industry Take Action to Support Sustainable Aquaculture Growth

The Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador fund projects to boost sustainability in the fish and seafood sector

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

In 2017-18, our Government will collaborate with Women in Science and Engineering Newfoundland and Labrador (WISE NL) and other industry partners to implement a new entrepreneurship initiative focused on increasing the involvement of women scientists, engineers and technologists in new business development. Through increased networking, training and mentoring, women will be supported in the development of knowledge-based firms in the fields of science, technology and engineering. This collaboration will ensure connectivity to other entrepreneurial supports such as financing, business counselling, networking for knowledge-based firms and opportunities for international graduate students.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII) has engaged WISE NL to discuss challenges, gaps and opportunities for business development by women working in the field of science, technology, engineering and math.
• TCII supported WISE NL as it celebrated it’s 30th anniversary on November 21, 2018 with an event that included a panel on women in science, technology, engineering and math in business.  Minister Mitchelmore spoke at the event and emphasized the importance of women in leadership positions.
• As a result of ongoing work with WISE NL and other stakeholders, a planning and opportunity management process will take place in February/March 2019. Partners will identify joint deliverables and an implementation plan.

Way Forward Commitment:

Our government will continue to implement its multi-year infrastructure plans. A longer-term approach to infrastructure development provides certainty for investors, who often consider local, regional and provincial infrastructure development when making business decisions. Multi-year planning also creates more certainty for related industries, such as the construction industry, which enhances their ability to plan their human resource needs and create job opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. In 2018-19, our multi-year infrastructure plan will provide almost $620 million for infrastructure and economic stimulus, including:

• Memorial University’s Core Science Facility in St. John’s;
• The Centre of Excellence for Heavy Equipment Industrial Trades at College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville;
• The continued development of the new regional hospital in Corner Brook;
• The replacement of the Waterford Hospital and the expansion of community-based mental health services;
• The development of the Green Bay Health Centre in Springdale;
• The construction of the Labrador Wellness Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
• The construction of new schools in Paradise and Coley’s Point, as well as repairs and maintenance of many existing schools;
• Paving projects on the Trans Labrador Highway and for the Provincial Roads Program; and
• Vessel refits and the maintenance of ferries, ferry terminals and wharves.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The 2017 edition of The Way Forward: A Multi-Year Plan for Infrastructure Investments was released on March 17, 2017. The multi-year plan outlined commitments to education, health, buildings, roads, and municipal infrastructure from 2017-18 to 2021-22.
• The second edition of the plan was released in spring 2018, allocating $619.7 million in 2018-19 and $2.5 billion from 2018-19 to 2022-23, including leveraged federal funding.
• The 2019 edition of The Way Forward: A Multi-Year Plan for Infrastructure Investments was released in Budget 2019 and outlined approved projects and planned spending, by sector, from 2019-20 to 2023-24. In 2019-20, $594.3 million will be invested in new and existing infrastructure, over $3 billion invested over the next five years. This will help grow our economy and is expected to generate an average of $580 million in annual GDP and 5,100 person years of employment per year.
• The following are some of the projects covered in the plan:
  • Construction of the Centre of Excellence for Heavy Equipment Industrial Trades at College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville. Completion is expected in fall 2019.
  • Replacement of the Waterford Hospital. On July 30, 2019, a Request for Proposals to design, build, finance and maintain (DBFM) the new facility was issued to three short-listed proponents. Proposals are due in early 2020 and it is expected that the successful proponent will be announced in June 2020, with construction starting in the months following. 
  • New regional hospital in Corner Brook. In June 2019, Corner Brook Health Partnership was selected as DBFM contractor for the new hospital. Site excavation is scheduled to begin in September 2019 with construction expected to be completed by 2023.
  • New schools in Paradise and Bay Roberts. Construction began in 2019 with completion of both expected in 2021.
  • Paving projects on the Trans Labrador Highway (TLH). By the end of 2019, paving will be completed for Phase 2: Red Bay to Cartwright Junction. It is anticipated that the final paving tenders for the TLH will be issued before the end of 2019-20.
  • Paving projects for the Provincial Roads Program. The 2019 edition of the Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan was released in January 2019, allocating $77.2 million to provincial road projects for the third year in a row.
  • New long-term care beds in the Central Health Authority region. NL Healthcare Partners was selected in April 2019 as the DBFM contractor for new long-term care homes in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor. Construction started at both sites during summer 2019 with completion expected in 2021. In addition, a construction tender was awarded in August 2019 for a new protective care extension at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre in Botwood. Construction is anticipated to start in September 2019 with completion expected in late 2020.
• This plan will continue to be updated to reflect emerging priorities and released annually.

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

In February 2017, our Government announced the establishment of a new Workforce Innovation Centre at College of the North Atlantic’s Corner Brook campus. This Centre will support and fund labour market activities, research and projects that demonstrate innovation and identify methods to better assist individuals prepare for, find, return to or maintain sustainable employment.

Reflecting our Government’s commitment to diversify the economy through innovation, the Centre will partner with business, labour and community groups and agencies to foster and find innovative approaches to address local labour market needs and improve employment and training outcomes. An inaugural call for proposals will occur by June 30, 2017.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Workforce Innovation Centre was established at College of the North Atlantic February 2017.
• The Centre’s goal is to support research, testing, and sharing of ideas and models of innovation in workforce development that will positively impact employability, entrepreneurship, and attachment to the workforce In Newfoundland and Labrador.
• During 2017-18, the Workforce Innovation Centre issued it’s inaugural call for proposals and funded eight multiyear projects totaling over $3.1 million to support applied research projects that test innovative approaches to address labour market issues and improve employment outcomes.
  • Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL) – $588,000 over three years to support rural Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who wish to transition to work in the tourism sector;
  • Genesis Centre, Memorial University – $497,417 over three years to explore ways to increase entrepreneurship among women and immigrants in the technology sector;
  • Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) – $361,616 over two years to develop and deliver an innovative training model for entry-level occupations in the aquaculture industry;
  • The Association of New Canadians (ANC) – $292,680 over 3 years to develop and implement a program connecting refugees to employment opportunities in the province’s agriculture sector, in partnership with Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus;
  • Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC) – $230,650 over two years to evaluate the short and long term Impacts of WRDC’s Employment Assistance Services and Career Development Programming;
  • Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) – $129,220 over two years for Pathways to Work: Co-designing Improved Employment Pathways for Inuit Youth in Nunatsiavut;
  • Collective Interchange Cooperative and Canadian Career Development Foundation – $314,732 over three years for Evidence for Community Employment Services: A Collaborative Regional Approach; and,
  • College of the North Atlantic – $756,886 over three years for Alternate Admissions Academic Readiness Assessment Processes and Tools for Indigenous Peoples.
• In July 2018, the Workforce Innovation Centre issued a second call for proposals to spark ideas for research and innovation in workforce development and approved more than $2.27 million in funding for an additional six projects:
  • Stella’s Circle – $687,269 to explore the use and impact of mobile technology in a work-based employment program for adults who face employment barriers;
  • Eastern Health – $443,000 to undertake a pilot project to test approaches to improving mental health and safety through technology-based support;
  • NL Forest Industry Association – $334,017 to explore knowledge-based production and use of biological resources to provide products, processes, and services across all sectors of the provincial economy;
  • Laubach Literary Council – $287,131 to help rural Newfoundlanders and Labradorians acquire the skills to succeed in online learning;
  • Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology (WinSETT) – $280,851 to enhance the WinSETT Leadership Program in Newfoundland and Labrador; and,
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences – $238,932 to investigate the attitudes of employers in the province toward hiring newcomers, temporary foreign workers, and international students.
• In summer 2019, also stemming from the second call for proposals, the following additional six projects were announced for a total of $2.22 million:
  • Community Education Network Southwestern NL – $248,535 to facilitate evidence-based research and analysis, and to disseminate resources and practical tools that encourage and support social enterprise growth in the Province aimed at addressing workforce challenges, supporting rural sustainability, encouraging small business enterprise, and building a stronger economic foundation for the future;
  • Academy Canada – $227,211 to determine the soft skills gaps within the Province’s labour supply and to evaluate the impact of a specially designed soft skills development workshop series on the employability of its participants;
  • Choices for Youth – $616,866 to analyze options for education, training and work; combining an employment first approach with social enterprise development; to gain a stronger understanding of how to improve economic and social conditions for marginalized youth and emerging adults in the Province;
  • Corner Brook Status of Women Council – $74,525 to explore the conditions necessary for the success of a social enterprise in the Crestview area of Corner Brook;
  • YMCA of Western Newfoundland – $824,493 to explore best practices in the delivery of employment programs, services and supports for at risk youth and young adults aged 15-40; and,
  • St. John’s Board of Trade – $229,705 to explore barriers that currently exist for older workers that want to remain in the workforce, to examine their potential contribution to the labour market, to gain understanding of employer attitudes towards older workers and to develop recommendations to remove barriers and increase older worker participation in the workforce.
• Projects funded for the Association for New Canadians, Genesis Centre, and Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences support key priorities in The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador , which identifies action items on employment mentorship and leadership among immigrant women, the delivery of labour market integration programming for refugees, and identification of solutions to mitigate barriers to employment for newcomers, temporary foreign workers, and international students.

News Releases

New Research Projects to Benefit Youth, Women, and Social Enterprise in Western Newfoundland

Provincial Government Funds New Research Projects, Through Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Innovation Centre, to Support Under-Represented Sectors

College of the North Atlantic to Host Province’s Workforce Innovation Centre

First Projects Announced for College of the North Atlantic’s Workforce Innovation Centre

New Projects through Workforce Innovation Centre to Support Rural Residents, Women, Newcomers

Significant Progress

Way Forward Commitment:

The provincial fishing industry is currently experiencing a transition in resource availability, with expectations of greater activity in the groundfish sector in the coming years. Harvesters and processors will require supports to develop a competitive world-class groundfish sector that can provide top quality products to discerning markets in Canada and internationally. Building on the support delivered through the new Seafood Innovation and Transition Program announced during Budget 2016, our Government has established a Fisheries Advisory Council. An Independent Chairperson for the Council has been announced and the membership and terms of reference for the Council was finalized in summer 2017.

By March 2018, our Government will have worked with the Fisheries Advisory Council on an action plan for cod revitalization. This will include actions that support all stages of the value chain, including harvesting, processing and marketing to maximize the value of available resources to the province. These actions will be supported by programming secured through the new Federal Atlantic Fisheries Fund and the Federal Ocean Protection Plan.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Mr. William Wells was appointed as the independent chairperson of the new Fisheries Advisory Council through a merit-based process on March 9, 2017.
• The Council has been providing input on the province’s fishing industry and will assist the seafood industry to move forward and adapt to current changes.
• Members of the Fisheries Advisory were appointed by the Independent Appointments Commission on July 7, 2017.
• The Council has provided advice to the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, which supports adjacency as an important principle in securing access to resources that ensure the long-term viability of the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• The Council continues to be active in reviewing policies and programs to inform their advice on optimizing the value of the province’s fish resources as the industry transitions to ground fish.

News Releases

Provincial Government Announces Funding to Support Innovation, Transition to Groundfish in Seafood Industry

Members of Fisheries Advisory Council Appointed

William Wells Named as Chair to the new Fisheries Advisory Council

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

We are living in the age of analytics where data is the renewable resource of the future. Government agencies are the holders of considerable public data that has the potential to be used by researchers and the private sector to develop new products, services and solutions while also creating business and job opportunities. We will help unlock the potential of data by initiating the development of a regulatory framework in 2019 for the commercial use of health and genetics data that is respectful of existing privacy legislation and ensures a scientific and financial return to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Throughout the world, health data is also being used to analyze population health and disease patterns, predict risk and negative events and, ultimately, improve patient experience and care. In 2018-19, our government will launch, under the leadership of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information, an online Provincial Health Data Lab to provide researchers and entrepreneurs with secure access to health data, such as laboratory test results.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• Funding has been received totaling more than $9 million from ACOA’s Business Development Program for the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI) to lead three new initiatives to improve clinical care and healthcare outcomes, and help foster growth in the province’s life sciences sector.
  • A Provincial Health Data Lab which will catalogue and store health data;
  • A pilot project to enhance telehealth in rural areas; and
  • An improved system to electronically order medical processes and procedures.
• The Provincial Health Data Lab is currently under development. A phased approach to operationalization is planned with a targeted launch of April 1, 2020.

News Releases:

Supporting Healthcare Innovation to Benefit Residents and Create Economic Opportunities