Consultations

Current Consultations

  • There are no current consultations.

Past Consultations

For details on past consultations please click links listed below.

Lottery Licensing Regulations

The Lottery Licensing Regulations came into force in January 2002 to regulate the issuance of licences for lotteries, including bingo, ticket sales, games of chance, sports lotteries, break-open lotteries and Monte Carlo lotteries that are being conducted for charitable or religious purposes. Other than minor housekeeping amendments, these regulations have not received a substantial review since that time. Government has heard from many organizations that the current regulations are unclear, outdated, do not provide charitable organizations with adequate guidance, and that there is a need to review and modernize. It is important that legislation meets the needs of the people it serves, and our government is committed to ensuring it is modern and responsive.

Submissions closed on December 10, 2021. What We Heard outlines the feedback received from the consultation process.

Mortgage Brokers Act

The Provincial Government is consulting on the Mortgage Brokers Act to help inform any potential changes to legislation and support our government’s commitment to increased consumer protection for the people of the province. A modern and robust regulatory framework is necessary to deliver consumer protection to prospective homebuyers, while also considering the professional expectations of mortgage brokers. The consultation focuses on a number of areas, including: registration of individuals dealing in mortgages; education standards for new registrants and requirements for continuing education; establishing a code of conduct for the local mortgage broker industry; errors and omission insurance coverage; administrative penalties and fees; and requirements for administration agreements between the mortgage brokers and borrower.

Submissions closed on October 31, 2021. What We Heard outlines the feedback received from the consultation process.

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Proposed Amendments to the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act, 2008

The Provincial Government is considering amendments to the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act. The goal is to inform key stakeholders, in particular current apprentices, embalmers, funeral directors and operators/owners of funeral homes, of potential changes to legislation and to seek feedback. To strengthen the regulatory powers of the Board, and improve consumer protection in the funeral services industry, the Department is proposing amendments regarding standards of practice; continuing education requirements; and duties of apprentices, embalmers, funeral directors, and funeral homes. The Department is also recommending several housekeeping amendments as well as changes to the current licensing scheme to include additional licensees.

Submissions closed on September 10, 2021. What We Heard (144 KB) outlines the feedback received from the consultation process.

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Unlocking of Pensions

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador considered amendments to the Pension Benefits Act, 1997 to facilitate unlocking pension funds for financial hardship.  Eligibility for financial hardship unlocking was considered for persons who  transferred funds from a registered pension plan into a locked-in retirement savings arrangement. Persons who are active members in a pension plan would not be eligible. In addition, persons receiving retirement income from a defined benefit pension plan would not be eligible.

Individuals who have transferred funds from a registered pension plan into a locked-in retirement savings arrangement were encouraged to participate in the consultations process.

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Red Tape Reduction Initiative

The Provincial Government  launched a red tape reduction initiative to help alleviate some of the regulatory burden on the province’s business sector. Since the onset of COVID-19 and the implementation of a number of public health restrictions, the business community of Newfoundland and Labrador recommended a number of measures that would ease some of the pressures facing their industry. One suggestion was an online tool where businesses could provide feedback on how to reduce government red tape.

The business community, along with community and not-for-profit organizations, were encouraged to participate in the consultations process.

The following What We Heard document outlines the feedback received from the consultation process.

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Consultations on the Workers’ Compensation System

A Statutory Review Committee has been established to conduct a review of Newfoundland and Labrador’s workers’ compensation system. The review provides a valuable opportunity to focus attention on workers’ compensation matters, with the objective of improving the overall system for both workers and employers, and is essential to maintaining a strong workers’ compensation system. The consultations process is open to workers, employers, key stakeholder organizations and the general public. A discussion document (670KB) can be completed online at www.EngageNL.ca. Feedback can also be submitted by email to info@2019srwcs.ca.

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Real Estate Trading Act

Digital Government and Service NL is conducting a comprehensive review of the legislation that regulates the real estate industry. In April, 2012 Digital Government and Service NL issued this consultation document (188 KB) to gather information and views from the general public, industry stakeholders and any other persons or groups interested in providing comments as to how this industry should be regulated in future. A copy of the current Act and Regulations can be viewed at http://assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/titleindex.htm#R.

Submissions closed on June 25, 2012. What We Heard (88 KB) outlines the feedback received from the consultation process.

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Possible Options for the Incorporation of Individual Sales Representatives of Registered Dealers and Advisers

Possible Options for the Incorporation of Individual Sales Representatives of Registered Dealers and Advisers

A working group of provincial/territorial government officials are seeking input from market participants and other stakeholders on possible options for the incorporation of individual sales representatives of registered dealers and advisers.

The options are set out in a consultation paper to stimulate public discussion. Your feedback will assist in informing any future policy development. No government or securities regulator has approved any of these options.

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Unlocking Pension Funds

Government was seeking views of the general public, pension plan sponsors and those involved in the pension industry before making a decision on whether individuals, who have left an employer before retirement with a pension plan, should be allowed to take full control of their pension funds.

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OHS Consultations in the Offshore

On Wednesday, April 14 in Halifax and Friday, April 16 in St. John’s, the Governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador held information sessions to kickoff a 45-day consultation period on proposed amendments to the Atlantic Accord Act respecting occupational health and safety in the offshore.

The proposed amendments have been jointly developed by the Governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador and are intended to replace the current mechanisms used to administer occupational health and safety in the offshore with a new legislative framework contained in the Accord Acts. Key features of the proposed amendments include a new role for provincial Ministers responsible for occupational health and safety, a new governance model and new enforcement provisions.

A copy of the summary document and power point presentation presented during the information sessions is available for downloading.

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Mines Safety of Workers Regulations

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Condominium Act of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Consultation Process for the Draft Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

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Proposals to Amend Legislation for the Use of Snowmobiles, ATVs and Dirt Bikes

On May 17, 2005, Government announced a number of changes to legislative provisions around the safe and responsible use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). During the process of reviewing the ATV regulations, a number of additional issues were raised which require further review.

These include: whether similar changes should be made to regulations governing snowmobiles (e.g. operator age); whether public liability insurance should be mandatory for ATVs and/or snowmobiles; whether operator training should be required for snowmobiles and ATVs; whether helmets should be made mandatory for snowmobile operators; and, to what extent should similar changes be made to the rules for motorized trail bikes.

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Buildings Accessibility Act and Regulations

The Building Accessibility Advisory Board (BAAB) advises the Minister on the application of the Building Accessibility Act and Regulations, and was directed to undertake a review of the legislation.

The Provincial Government received recommendations in July 2021 from BAAB on how to improve upon the Buildings Accessibility Act so that people with diverse abilities and methods of access are enabled in a dignified and respectful manner. The recommendations can be viewed here.

A public consultation process was conducted to seek feedback on the board’s recommendations. This What We Heard document outlines the feedback.

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Automobile Insurance Reform

Digital Government and Service NL addressed several issues (131 KB) related to automobile insurance reform which are in addition to the Terms of Reference of the review conducted by the Public Utilities Board.

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Proposals for Changes to the Accounting Legislation

After consultation with stakeholders, Digital Government and Service NL has decided to amend the relevant legislation to provide licensed accountants the opportunity to practice as Limited Liability Partnerships or in corporate form.

Those who participated in the consultation were notified of this decision through a letter from the former Minister of Digital Government and Service NL, Walter Noel. The general public were notified of this decision by the Minister of Digital Government and Service NL, George Sweeney, through a press release on April 22, 2003.

Further information on these proposals can be obtained by reading the consultation document.

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Automobile Insurance Reform

After an extensive review of the Report of the Select Committee on Property and Casualty Insurance, Digital Government and Service NL had requested feedback on developed proposals for Automobile Insurance Reform.

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Cellphones and Driving

The public was requested to forward comments to this department about their impression on cellphone usage while driving.

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Proposed Class Proceedings Act

The public was requested to forward comments to this department about their impression on the Proposed Class Proceedings Act.

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Report to Government on the Homeowners, Commercial and Marine Insurance Review

In October 2004 the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador directed the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities to undertake a review of and report on certain issues as set out in a Terms of Reference with respect to Automobile, Homeowners, Commercial and Marine Insurance. This report (2 MB) contains the outcome of the public review, research, analysis and related discussions carried out by the Board into homeowners, commercial and marine insurance issues. This review was carried out in cooperation with the industry and numerous other interested groups and organizations who contributed to the work of the Board.

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Automobile Insurance Review

Government directed the Public Utilities Board to review, consult and report on a number of issues affecting automobile insurance. This is the Board’s report out of that process (24 KB).

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Residential Tenancies Act

Digital Government and Service NL completed public consultations on residential landlord/tenant relations in 2012 and issued this consultation document (212 KB) to gather information and views from the general public, stakeholders and any other persons or groups interested in providing comments. A copy of the current Act and Regulations can be viewed at http://assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/statutes/r14-1.htm. This What We Heard document (170 KB) outlines the feedback we received during this consultation.

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Worker’s Compensation System – Statutory Review

The Provincial Government has released the review into the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation system, Working Together – Safe, Accountable, Sustainable. The Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Statutory Review Committee provided the report to the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL and Minister Responsible for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, in January following last year’s extensive public consultation process.

The Working Together – Safe, Accountable, Sustainable report is available on the Labour Relations/Standards website at https://www.gov.nl.ca/aesl/labour/workingtogether. Printed copies will be sent to all participants of the public consultation process. Members of the public may call 709-729-7458 or toll-free 1-877-563-1063 to request a printed copy. Written responses to the report will be accepted up to March 14, 2014. These can be emailed to workingtogether@gov.nl.ca or mailed to:

Labour Relations/Standards
Attn: Working Together
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s NL A1B 4J6

Written submissions will be considered as the Provincial Government proceeds with an analysis of the recommendations. These submissions and analysis will form the basis of the Provincial Government’s action plan to respond to the recommendations of the report.

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