Starting Sept. 1, the shingles vaccine will be available for no cost to all individuals aged 50 years and over.

The expansion will follow a phased approach:

• Starting June 1, the shingles vaccine will be offered to residents ages 65 and over and immunocompromised residents between the ages of 50-64.
• Starting Sept. 1, the shingles vaccine will be offered to all individuals aged 50 years and over.

The increased access to the shingles vaccine will further ensure improved health and well-being for more seniors and older adults in the province. It will also ensure high-risk populations receive protection against shingles and its related health complications, reduce hospital visits, physician consultations and pain management treatments.

The expansion aligns with recommendations from Health Accord NL to support older adults to age well with dignity and autonomy and expand access to shingles and pneumonia vaccines for seniors. The province previously announced the shingles vaccine would be available June 1 for individuals aged 65 to 70 years and immunocompromised residents over the age of 70 as part of the provincial immunization program

The city will host the International Symposium on Avian Influenza from June 24–26, 2026 marking Canada’s first-ever win under the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), a strategic initiative supported by the Government of Canada through Destination Canada.

This high-profile international conference is expected to attract hundreds of global health and life sciences experts, positioning St. John’s and Canada as leaders in public health dialogue and innovation. It will also generate significant economic impact for the region, with delegates staying in local accommodations, dining at area restaurants, and engaging with the community.

“We are honoured to be the first Canadian destination to host an ICAF-supported event,” said Paul Buggé, CEO of Destination St. John’s. “This announcement is a testament to our world-class facilities, welcoming hospitality, and growing reputation as a serious contender on the international business events stage.”

The International Convention Attraction Fund supports Canadian cities with up to $1 million per event to attract major global conferences. It is a part of a $50 million federal investment to bolster Canada’s business tourism sector.

This symposium aligns with Destination Canada’s Innovate Canada initiative, showcasing leadership in life sciences and bolstering knowledge-sharing between top researchers and innovators.

The Summer Camp Inclusion Grant is open for applications for the 2025-2026 season.

This grant provides financial assistance toward the cost of hiring a support person to accommodate children with disabilities to attend and participate in summer camps. 

This support person may be an inclusion worker, a caregiver, an attendant, an American Sign Language Interpreter, a designated camp staff member, or any other person deemed appropriate by the family to support the child’s needs and participation at summer camp.

The grant provides funding of up to $1,000 to families with children with disabilities who require a support and/or inclusion worker to attend summer camp and up to $5,000 to organizations providing summer camps who wish to hire support and/or inclusion workers to accommodate children with disabilities.

In 2024, 11 organizations and 19 families availed of the Summer Camp Inclusion Grant.

The RNC is requesting the public’s help with the investigation of a suspicious fire in Frenchman’s Cove.

At 3:20 a.m. today, police responded to a report of a structure fire on MacDonald Road. Officers observed a shed on a residential property that had sustained significant fire and smoke damage. The fire is believed to be suspicious, and the investigation is ongoing.

The RNC is asking anyone with information, or any video footage (CCTV or dash cam) from the area between 2 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. to please contact the RNC at 709-637-4100. 

The City of St. John’s has opened the Residential Re-Leaf program, where St. John’s residents can apply for a $200 voucher towards the purchase of a tree to plant on their property. There are 175 vouchers available.

Applications can be submitted directly by filling out an online form. Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., Friday, May 23. Eligible applications will be entered into a random draw. Successful applicants will receive their voucher by mail in late June. 

The Residential Re-Leaf program aims to expand St. John’s urban forest by encouraging property owners to plant trees on their property.

More than 700 vouchers have been distributed since 2019.

On Monday, city offices in St. John’s will be closed for the Victoria Day holiday.

Garbage, recycling and yard waste collection scheduled for Monday will be collected on Tuesday. The Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility will be closed to commercial and residential users on May 19.

Public washrooms will remain open at Bannerman Park, Bowring Park, Kenny’s Pond and Quidi Vidi Lake.

Street cleaning operations will take place as scheduled on Monday. Vehicles that are not removed during street cleaning will be ticketed.

All city paid parking by-laws are still in effect; however, paid parking will not be enforced as Monday is a Shops Closing Holiday.

Students rallied inside MUN’s Signal Hill Campus this week as the university’s budget was presented to the Board of Regents at its May 2025 meeting.

At Wednesday’s rally, students raised the question about whether or not the Board of Regents will pause tuition increases in light of the provinces recent decision to pause cuts to the Tuition Offset Grant.

“Students are struggling — with rent, food, and the cost of staying in school,” said Nicolas Keough,
CFS-NL Chairperson. “Raising tuition this year, when the provincial government has already
signald a willingness to support students, would be a step in the wrong direction.”

Students are calling on the university to use the grant to provide tuition relief to students.

“If the government didn’t want this money going directly to students, they would have rolled it into the operating grant,” Maahin Khan, CFS-NL Campaigns Coordinator stated. “Anything less than using it for tuition relief raises serious questions about financial responsibility.”