Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay North Toll-Free 1-888-729-6091 F. 709-454-2652 E. cmitchelmore@gov.nl.ca @MitchelmoreMHA

If you have a concern, idea or issue...

As your Representative in the House

of Assembly, I continue to raise the issues

of health care, fishery, forestry, economic

opportunities and education to list a few. I

have been active in debate, questioned

Government and presented petitions on

your behalf in the House of Assembly. As

well, worked hard to kept you informed via

Social Media and maintained a strong

presence in the community.

I am committed to our communities

and look forward to the work ahead to

make life more affordable for the people

of the District.

#peoplematter

Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA

The Straits-White Bay North

Recognition in the House of Assembly

As your MHA, I give statements in the House of Assembly to recognize achievements, events & occasions for individuals, community groups, & organizations in the District. If you know someone deserving recognition for a special milestone, award, or some other notable achievement, please contact our office and share all of the relevant details.

Newsletter #8 Spring 2014

Constituency Office: 279 West Steet PO Box 620 St. Anthony, NL A0K 4S0

Lavinia Crisby, Constituency Assistant T. 709-454-2633 E. laviniacrisby@gov.nl.ca

Celebrating A Milestone?

Please contact our office if you would like a certificate for a birthday, anniversary or special occasion. We also provide pins for events free of charge upon request.

Dr. Fitzgerald Dr. O’Keefe

RECOGNIZING CONSTITUENTS IN HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY Dr. William Fitzgerald and Dr. Mary O’Keefe—A Part of the Grenfell Legacy

White Hills Academy Sr. High— Who wants to save a life?

Canon Richard’s Memorial Academy Jr. High—Who wants to save a life?

Wayne Bartlett and Cheryl McCaron—Launch of Radio Quirpon

Tristan Earles— A Dance for Ashley

10 Hockey Medals—Straits Rifters & St. Anthony Polars

Statements are available at www.christophermitchelmore.com

White Hills Academy

Canon Richards

INSIDE THIS EDITION: PAGE

MHA in your community 2

Economic Development 3

Natural Resources 4

District Issues 5

Leader’s Tour & CED 6-7

District Issues (cont). 8

Funding Highlights 9

Health Care 10

Government Program Info 11

Recognizing Constituents 12

News releases, petitions, order paper questions, photos and more updates available at christophermitchelmore.com

Flower’s Island Lighthouse

Quirpon Radio

Meg Coles wins Rhonda Payne Theatre Award

St. Lunaire-Griquet Fire Dept receives service awards

t. 1-888-729-6091 e.cmitchelmore@gov.nl.ca www.christophermitchelmore .com

Tristan Earles

PAID FAMILY CAREGIVING

The Residential Energy Rebate (RER) provides a rebate equivalent to the 8% provincial portion of the 13% HST charged on consumption of energy for residential purposes. Consumer applications are available by calling 1-866-990-3444 toll free or ResidentialEnergyRebate@gov.nl.ca

ENHANCED MEDICAL TRAVEL

HOME HEATING REBATE

(NLPDP) provides financial assistance for the purchase of eligible prescription medications for those who reside in the province. There are five main plans under the program: The Foundation Plan, The 65Plus Plan, The Access Plan, The Assurance Plan and The Select Needs Plan. Visit health.gov.nl.ca/health/prescription/index.html or call our office for more information or an application 1-888-729-6091.

NL PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM

Program is available if you have MCP. Claimable expenses include airfare, accommodations and kilometres, if you travel for medical reasons outside the region for services. Visit health.gov.nl.ca/health/mcp/travelassistance.html or call our office for more information or an application 1-888-729-6091.

RESIDENTIAL ENERGY REBATE

Eligible households are those who have an adjusted family income of $40,000 will be eligible for up to $250 rebate on the island. The deadline for submitting applications is September 30, 2014. Most applications should be processed within 10 weeks of when they are received by the department. Call toll-free: 1-855-223-7432 or homeheatprogram@gov.nl.ca

Everything from education, health and wellness, fisheries, tourism, culture and recreation grants, heritage funds, community enhancement, business and eco-nomic development and more can be found at: www.gov.nl.ca/vnps/capacitybuilding/funding/government.html. If you have further questions please contact our office at 1-888-729-6091.

GOV. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Announced in December by Minister Sullivan to begin in March 2014 and will service 250 clients. For more information on the Paid Family Caregiving Option please call 1-855-653-6440

YOUR MHA IN YOUR COMMUNITY

MHA Jim Bennett and I at JCR Culture Exchange

Community Readiness Ambassador Richard St. Pierre

Little Miss Winterfest

Easter “Singspiration” Apostolic Faith Englee

With Betty Coles

Northern Recreation Tournament, Roddickton

Roddickton-Bide Arm Snowmobile Races

Installation of Officers at the Royal Canadian Legion

10th Annual Breast Cancer Snowmobile Ride

Jig’s Dinner Concert

GIC 36th Lions Charter Night

Flower’s Cove Carnival

SHNLQ Cold Plate Sale

Sandy Cove Lions Janeway Ride

Randy Simms at Chamber AGM

June 6-15th, 2014 Eddies Cove East CHY theicebergfestival.ca August 13-17, 2014

SUMMER EVENTS:

ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION LINKS NEEDED

Gov NL must develop adequate contingency plans to deal with disruptions in ferry service

New schedule needed to aid business and support increase passenger traffic

Strait of Belle Isle crossing needs new vessel and infrastructure investments before 2016

Completion of Route 138 and a fixed-link would create robust economic activity in NL

Interpretation must be restored at Burnt

Cape Ecological Reserve, Raleigh

HEALTH CARE SERVICES A TOP PRIORITY

MHA Lisa Dempster (Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair) and I toured the newly opened Strait of Belle Isle Health Centre, Flower’s Cove. A regional health investment of $9M. Our office continues to raise concerns about the need to establish regular nurse practitioner clinics, adding satellite dialysis service and the creation of a palliative care room as a means to improve service delivery.

A PILOT PROJECT IS NEEDED:

I continue to raise with the Minister of Health & LG Health an opportunity to expand service at White Bay Central Health Centre by utilizing space to add up to six long-term care beds without having to build. I thank Town Councils for adding their voice to the lobby. Seniors requiring long-term care should access it closer to home.

Official Opposition Leader Dwight Ball (Humber Valley) and I toured Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital St. Anthony. PRESSING ISSUES OF: Midwifery Echocardiogram Recruitment/Retention Hemo-dialysis Dental Services Long-term Care Physiotherapy Mental Health Medical Travel

MIDWIFERY

ANNOUNCEMENT FAILS PUBLIC

I attended the conference held by Health Minister, which announced a steering committee to advance mid-wifery as a self-regulated profession.

It noted privatized midwifery services should be available within a year, but did not anticipate health authorities to see midwifery for 5–7 years.

I continue to present petitions in the House of Assembly and question why another service that was working for decades, could be taken away from the people of the North.

Official Opposition supporting Autism Awareness

Supporting Ronald McDonald House; McHappy Day Paying respect to injured or killed workers

Attending Business Day Local Musicians & Instruments for sale at Grenfell Coop

Wood Pellets Key to

Green Economy

60,000 MT of wood pellet production could heat thousands of homes using pellet stoves or furnaces.

Rentech Inc. has been considering investment and business opportunities on the Great Northern Peninsula

I’ve continued to press Government asking them to remain committed to forestry jobs & development on the Peninsula.

Current stability of industry and long-term sustainable forestry jobs will depend on investment in Green Economy.

Government should re-establish pellet rebate program, establish incentives for heat pumps and conservation

Fishing Point B&B wins

Norm Parsons’ Award

Wellness Grants Town St. Lunaire-Griquet $10,000

North Central Recreation Corp,

Roddickton-Bide Arm $10,000

St. Anthony & area Chronic Pain

Group $7,900

Age-Friendly Grants Town of St. Anthony $5,000

JCP Funding Announcement

More than $300,000 will be invested throughout the

District during summer Job Creation Partnership

program. More info: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/jcp

School Improvements

Energy Efficiency Pilot Projects for:

Canon Richards Memorial, Flower’s Cove

James Cook Memorial, Cook’s Harbour

AES Funds Targeted Iniative For Older Workers White Bay Central receives $164,494 for Main Brook Community Centre, carpentry program

Town of Englee—Glass Art Program $174,577

Vice-Chair of Resource Committee; Innovation, Business & Rural Dev. critic, & Office of Public Engagement

Federation of 50+ Clubs receives support to establish more clubs on the Peninsula

Inclusion Appointment

Karen Hillier, St. Anthony was appointed to Advisory Committee for Inclusion for People with Disabilities

District youth are interested in politics

Bradley Warren, St. Anthony Joshua Laing, North Boat Harbour Jacob Hill, Gunner’s Cove

These youth learned more about Provincial Politics as they participated in Youth Parliament. I encourage more youth to get involved!

INTERNET ACCESS FILING WITH CRTC

9 communities in the District do not have access to high-speed Internet. Only 2/3 of population can access speeds greater than 10 Mbs; where most rural regions have minimal speed of 1.5 Mbs. Those who have access to satellite Internet service pay higher fees and are subject to caps. I have filed with the Federal Regulator as an Inquiry Officer investigates matters of Internet via satellite.

CELLULAR TOWER PROPOSAL IN HANDS

OF GOVERNMENT

Bell Mobility has made a submission for support from Government to add 15

communities of the Northern Pen to service Cook’s Harbour-St. Lunaire-Griquet-

L’Anse aux Meadows-St. Anthony Bight and areas. This would also include cell

service to Route 430 between St. Anthony and Cook’s Harbour. The addition of

this service would create new opportunities for residential, business attraction,

tourism marketing, local cottage industry and improve public safety.

Road Improvements: Route 430, 432, 433, 434,

436, 437 & 438

Expand 24-hour snow clearing on Route 430

Broadband Internet: Bide Arm, Pine’s Cove,

Goose Cove, Great Brehat, St. Anthony Bight & St. Carols, Eddies Cove East

Health Care: Retaining Midwifery at

Curtis Hospital, St. Anthony

Implementation of Nurse Practitioner Clinic at Strait of Belle Isle Health Centre, Flower’s Cove

If you have an issue, please send petitions to my office.

PETITIONS PRESENTED

DISTRICT ROADS

NEED A FIX

ICE COMPENSATION NEEDED

OPPOSING CUTS TO NORTHERN SHRIMP

- Attended FFAW-Unifor meetings in Anchor Point & St. Anthony - Members of Caucus sent a letter to Federal Fisheries Minister stating the implications cuts would have on fishers, plant workers and business. - Attended rally at DFO Offices in St. John’s; spoke to CBC, NTV, VOCM - Appointed to All-Party Committee opposing Federal quota cuts by Opposition Leader Dwight Ball - Participated in all committee meetings; Leader made representation to House of Commons and Senate Committee in Ottawa - Spoke to a Private Member’s Resolution stating economic impact of cuts

I continue to advocate for new

investment in road infrastructure

(paving and maintenance), dust

monitors, brush clearing, line

painting equipment and snow

clearing services.

Upon the request for fishers from my District, I brought this matter to Caucus and Opposition Leader Dwight Ball raised it in the House in late March. Our critic and Caucus continued to raise it in the media, written Ministers at both Provincial and Federal-level. In June 2007, Federal Minister Hearn made available an Ice Compensation Program, retroactive from May 5th with funding of $377 per week.

TRANSITION TO COD?

MOVING

FORWARD?

SEAL

HUNT

MHA Lisa Dempster (Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair) & I attended a policy paper launch on “Moving Forward” to build sustainable fisheries. Dr. Barb Neis (MUN), Earl McCurdy (FFAW-Unifor) and Craig Pollett (MNL) presented ideas, talked small-scale/cooperation and answered questions.

Discussed sealing opportunities with Sealers Assoc.; Supporting local craft producers; Attended 100th Anniversary of Sealing Disaster

Cod is making a come back. Actions must be taken to develop our cod resources. More effort must occur to market cod and other under-utilized species. The Federal Government must enter into a Joint Management agreement if we are to reap greatest benefits from our fishing resources

Water Freeze-ups & Boil Order Advisories Need Plans for Safe & Clean Drinking Water

Main Brook acquires new equipment French Shore Tapestry made in

Englee & Conche will tour Province

Attended Prospecting Meeting; Mining Potential on GNP?

Re-Instatement of Northern Resident Tax Deduction Issue Campaign Launched at www.christophermitchelmore.com/issues. Have your voice heard by sending on-line a direct message to Federal Minister.

10 Provincial Hockey

Banners Coming Home

Straits Rifters Girls under 12—Gold

Straits Rifters Girls under 15—Gold

Straits Rifters Girls under 20—Gold

Straits Rifters Peewees—Silver

Straits Rifters Bantams—Gold

Straits Rifters Midgets—Gold

St. Anthony Polars Atoms—Gold

St. Anthony Polars Peewee—Bronze

St. Anthony Polars Midgets—Bronze

St. Anthony Polars Girls under 20—

Bronze

Riddles & Rhymes Celebrates 20 Years

Ivy Durley Place Celebrates 16 Years, Officially Opens Clyde Roberts Room

Meeting Snook Ol’ Man

Leader Dwight Ball & I visiting CNA St. Anthony

Leader Dwight Ball addresses St. Anthony Chamber of Commerce

Visiting Local Business

Saluting Our Graduates!

St. Lunaire-Griquet Public Library should re-open

St. Anthony Public Library would benefit from more hours