Our sense of community defines who we are as a province. It is what is attracting Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to return home for work or a visit; it is what helps attract newcomers to our province. That sense of pride of place is front and centre in Budget 2022 initiatives, whether it is celebrating history and culture, bringing families together or strengthening our communities.

Indigenous Peoples

Our path towards Reconciliation is rooted in listening, understanding and mutual respect. It is an inclusive and collaborative effort and a recognition of needing to do a better job reflecting the cultures, diversity and history of Indigenous people. Budget 2022 includes:

• $4 million for the Inquiry into the Treatment, Experiences, and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System.
• $250,000 to begin planning for a new heritage centre near Beothuk Lake to commemorate the Beothuk people.
• $241,500 for grants aimed at preventing violence against Indigenous women and girls.
• $125,000 for the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network.
• $90,000 for friendship centres.
• $25,000 for the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Gathering.

Come Home Year and Tourism Marketing Campaign

Come Home Year 2022 will re-unite families and re-engage the community spirit after two years of COVID-19. We appreciate the challenges that tourism operators, businesses, musicians and artists have experienced, as well as the expected competition for tourists. Budget 2022 includes:

• $20 million in new funding to support our tourism, hospitality, arts and cultural industries.

Air Access

In our region, air transportation is vital to travel and tourism, and business, trade and economic recovery. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifting, we are seeing that confidence in travel is rising. We hope that this confidence will continue to drive dramatic growth in demand over the coming months and years. We are committed to continue working with our partners to align priorities for air access and to identify strategies to navigate the current environment.

Communities

Communities are where we live, work and play; where we raise our families. It is often said that local governance is the closest level of decision-making to our homes and businesses. Budget 2022 maintains investments in key programs needed to deliver the services residents rely on, including:

• More than $141 million through such programs as Municipal Operating Grants, Special Assistance Grants, Community Enhancement Employment Program and the Canada Community Building Fund.

Safer Communities

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have an unrivaled sense of pride in their safe communities. This sense of pride is a selling point as we attract newcomers to our province. Appreciating this importance, Budget 2022 includes:

• Almost $21 million for a new province-wide radio system that will enable emergency responders to communicate in a timely manner with one another.
• Almost $17 million in additional annual funding to support the work of the RCMP in protecting communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Close to $3.2 million in core operational funding to equity-seeking organizations including violence prevention organizations and women’s centres.
• More than $1.8 million for fire protection vehicle and firefighting equipment.
• $1 million in additional funding for the NL Search and Rescue Association, which stems from recommendations from the Search and Rescue Inquiry. This is in addition to $775,000 provided since the conclusion of the Inquiry.
• $425,000 for projects such as the expansion of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program and the Premier’s Roundtable on Gender Equity.
• More then $392,000 to expand the Family Violence Intervention Court.
• $326,000 for the Drug Treatment Court.
• $138,000 to establish one judicial position that will travel and be deployed as necessary to other courts as needed.

Community Sector

Community groups provide incredible service and supports across the province. From violence prevention, mental health, youth services, literacy, advocacy and housing organizations provide value to their communities. Government invests more than $100 million to support the community sector. This year, a new application and assessment process will be implemented for core funding. An additional $5 million is also added to the funds available.