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Federal minimum wage increasing to $17.30 per hour on April 1

On April 1, the federal minimum wage will increase from $16.65 to $17.30 per hour. This adjustment reflects the 3.9 per cent increase in Canada’s annual average Consumer Price Index for 2023 and is aligned with inflation.

There are approximately 30,000 employees in the federally regulated private sector who will benefit from this raise. Employers are required to adjust their payroll information accordingly.

In 2021 the federal government introduced the federal minimum wage. It is adjusted annually based on Canada’s annual average Consumer Price Index from the previous calendar year.

U.S.-born hockey star putting up big numbers for the Newfoundland Growlers

Isaac Johnson’s professional hockey journey has been anything but a straight line. The 25-year-old forward from Andover, Minnesota has spent the majority of the past three seasons with the Newfoundland Growlers. Throughout that time, he’s also piled up the frequent flyer miles with constant trips to Winnipeg and Toronto as a call-up to the American Hockey League, where he would rarely be given the opportunity to play before being sent back down to the ECHL.

Johnson also attended training camp for the L.A. Kings prior to signing with the Toronto Marlies this past fall en route to being assigned to the Growlers’ roster, where he has put together a breakout season. With 64 points in 49 games this season, Johnson has easily been the Growlers’ most valuable player, and most consistent goal scorer with 28.

“I think I’m doing well,” Johnson said on his season so far. “I think I have a little more confidence in year three, so that certainly helps and boosts (my play) a little bit.”

His successful season is not unexpected. As of the time of writing, Johnson has 135 total points in 124 career regular season games with the Growlers, and another 25 points in 33 playoff games. Through the ups and downs of constantly changing addresses, Johnson has found a home, at least for now, in St. John’s. Johnson cites familiarity with the team and the province as the biggest contributing factors in his decision to sign on with the Toronto Marlies, knowing that he would likely be assigned to play for the Growlers.

“It’s a tight group in the locker room, and outside the rink, it’s the same way,” Johnson said. “You go downtown, everyone’s super friendly and it’s fun. It’s a great atmosphere to be around, and it makes you excited to play a hockey game for them.”

Johnson and the Growlers are expected to return to the Mary Brown’s Centre for the final six games of the regular season starting April 5.

Phone line established for Measles Vaccination Inquiries

NL Health Services advises the public that due to an increase in measles cases globally, it is recommended that individuals review their measles immunization status and seek updates, as required, particularly before international travel. Individuals in the Eastern-Urban and Eastern-Rural Zones can contact the Vaccine Review Intake Line at 1-877-752-8171 forpublic inquiries about Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine eligibility and appointment requests.

When calling the Vaccine Review Intake Line, please leave a message with the following information:

  • Current First, Middle and Last Names
  • Childhood Last Name
  • MCP
  • Date of Birth
  • Address
  • Telephone Number

Please note this internal line has a secure voicemail that will be monitored by health-care staff. NL Health Services thanks the public for their patience as we are experiencing a higher than normal call volume. Calls will be returned as quickly as possible.

Individuals in the Central, Labrador-Grenfell and Western Zones who have questions about MMR vaccine eligibility and appointment requests are asked to call their local public health clinic/community health office. For contact information, please refer to your zone’s website: CentralLabrador-Grenfell and Western.

Measles-containing vaccine

The provincial government is currently providing the following recommendations to those who are travelling outside Canada, particularly to areas where measles is known to spread or to an area where there is a measles outbreak:

  • Infants six to 12 months of age, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travelling. These children will still need to be vaccinated with MMR at 12 and 18 months of age.
  • Individuals born in or after 1970 should ensure they have had two doses of a measles-containing vaccine prior to traveling.
  • Individuals born before 1970 should ensure they have had one dose of a measles-containing vaccine prior to traveling.

St. John’s Caps and Deer Lake Red Wings to square off for Herder Memorial Final; opens tonight

The 2024 Herder Memorial Championships will begin at the CBS Arena tonight. The 89-year-old trophy will be battled for between the Deer Lake Red Wings, champions of the Central West Senior Hockey League and the St. John’s Caps, winners of the Avalon East Senior Hockey League.

The Red Wings have two Herder titles dating back to 2001 and 2005, while the franchise Caps’ is vying for their first after being in the finals in 2016 and 2018.  The St. John’s Capitals, Shamrocks and Blue Caps combined for nine provincial titles for the capital city from 1970 to 1990.  

The Red Wings knocked off the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts in five games to win the Central West, and the Caps swept the Clarenville Caribous in the Avalon East.

“The calibre of hockey in both leagues has been great this season and we expect a very competitive and entertaining series this year,” said Gary Gale, Senior Chair for Hockey NL. 

Game 1 goes tonight.

NL Health Services Provides Update on Masking Requirements

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services advises the public of updates to masking requirements at health-care facilities across the province, effective Monday, April 1, 2024. These updated guidelines are based on the continued monitoring of epidemiology, hospitalizations, and outbreaks.

The public is reminded that self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness remains in effect, and visitors/support persons should not visit a health-care facility if they feel ill or are experiencing COVID-19, flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Masking

  • Masking is no longer required for visitors/support persons, clients, and patients, pending they meet the self-screening requirements, in clinical areas in health-care facilities (including waiting areas for health-care services/appointments, clinical care/treatment areas, and while visiting patients and long-term care residents).
  • If a facility experiences an outbreak, additional masking protocols may be implemented; visitors or support persons should check with the care team for the required personal protective equipment.
  • Reminder: Individuals seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) must always wear a mask upon entry and while inside the health-care facility. Visitors/support persons feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments.
  • Masks continue to be available at health-care facilities across the province. Individuals who would like to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so.
  • Individuals can wear their medical mask, or a mask provided at the health-care facility.
  • Visitors and support persons are also asked to consider the safety of those they are visiting. It can be especially important to wear a mask if you are around others who are at risk of more severe disease and outcomes, including those with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems, and older adults or young children.

Self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness

  • Visitors/support persons are directed to follow signage at health-care facilities and meet the self-screening requirements before proceeding inside the health-care facility. In addition, visitors/support persons can complete self-screening before arrival at the facility by visiting the webpages for their zones: Central, Eastern, Labrador-Grenfell and Western.

NL Health Services to Implement New Provincial Health Information System

NL Health Services is implementation a new transformational health information system for the province, marking the beginning of the largest digital health system to be undertaken to date in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This new project will introduce modernized software that will replace various applications and systems used in acute and long-term care areas, and which were put in place by NL Health Services’ legacy organizations.

“The adoption of this new health information system is a major transformational change across the provincial health-care sector,” said David Diamond, CEO, NL Health Services. “By embracing this leading-edge technology, we are laying a strong foundation and creating pathways for a more holistic and coordinated approach to patient care to improve the health outcomes of the people of the province.”

This new health information system will modernize the organization’s information technology infrastructure and establish consistent and uniform practices across the province, which will result in improved efficiency in the delivery of health-care services. 

“Transitioning to one health information system gives health-care providers real time access to relevant patient records, treatment plans and test results without having to navigate multiple systems,” said Stephen Greene, Vice President of Digital Health and Chief Information Officer at NL Health Services. “By creating an integrated health information system, we are prioritizing people-centred care, ensuring that every patient has a single, comprehensive and easily accessible medical record.”

“Our government’s investment in this modernized health information system is another example of our commitment to reimagining the health care system based upon recommendations from Health Accord NL. This new technology will benefit both health care providers and patients by ensuring that they have the most up-to-date records, which allow for greater collaboration on care,” said Hon. Tom Osborne, minister of health and community services.

NL Health Services will provide updates on the implementation of this new system as work progresses.

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