Premier Andrew Furey says he won’t be endorsing anyone running in the upcoming provincial Liberal leadership race. He also says he won’t publicly endorse a candidate for the federal Liberal leadership, even though he will cast a vote.

Parks Canada has changed the boundary of a new national protected marine area around the fjords on Newfoundland's south coast by nearly 30 per cent. The change covers fewer fjords and opens up areas for potential aquaculture.

The head of the province’s Muslim association says his community will connect through acts of compassion, generosity and empathy. Haseen Khan spoke with Here and Now’s Carolyn Stokes about moving his growing congregation to a new mosque for this year’s Eid prayer.

Avalon MP Ken McDonald is not considering a run for the provincial Liberal leadership, but is waiting in the wings for a provincial political run.

McDonald says he did not expect the resignation of Premier Andrew Furey, and while he isn’t considering a go at the leadership, he has had several people reach out to ask if he is.

While he has ruled out that possibility, it appears as though a run as an MHA may be in the offing.

Ever since McDonald said he would not be seeking re-election federally, rumours have been circulating that he will be running provincially, however he never officially stated as such.

When asked about a potential provincial run, McDonald did not rule it out “depending on when (the election) is.”

He says he was “ready to go” for a spring election. However, with the leadership race and new timelines to call an election, he states “I’ll hang around where I’m to for now just to kick the tires a bit more. But I’d much rather be home in politics than away.”

The provincial government says it is “actively engaged with other provinces” on reducing internal trade barriers, but fall short of committing to introduce legislation to that effect.

Earlier this week, Nova Scotia introduced the Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act.

Essentially, the legislation says manufacturing and licensing standards from other regions will be recognized, as long as other provinces treat Nova Scotia products, businesses, and workers the same.

The legislation is being heralded as a “first-of-its-kind” in the country, with the argument being that it will help foster an environment of mutual recognition of goods, services, and labour across all sectors.

When asked if Newfoundland and Labrador will be following suit, the provincial government did not specifically say if or when similar legislation would be introduced.

Instead, they say they are pursuing an “ambitious agenda to reduce barriers to internal trade and labour mobility,” adding that now more than ever there is a need to strengthen trade within Canada, and diversity and strengthen trade internationally.

As of March 1, Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries will be off the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

This is a “red letter” day in the small Trinity Bay town of Heart’s Content.

Alice Cumby, the town clerk, was hired March 1, 1968 and is seen as a pillar in the community. Today is her last day on the job after 57 years.

Councillor Tolson Rendell says there isn’t much in the way of community causes and activities that Cumby has not been involved in.

There’s a dance Saturday night starting at about 9:00 to mark the occasion.

This week on Land & Sea, we journey back to 1995 for a look at the crab fishery of Mary's Harbour, Labrador. Tune in this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. NT or 7 p.m. NT on Monday, or on the CBC N.L. Youtube channel.

NAPE says NL Health Services has proposed that ultrasound services in the Labrador-Grenfell Zone be contracted out, a move which the union is slamming as the “encroachment of privatization.”

NAPE President Jerry Earle says a meeting was held with a union rep on February 18, and they were informed of the Health Authority’s proposal a few days later.

Earle says the plan could be implemented “in the coming days”, and they are “fervently opposed” to agencies doing public-sector bargaining unit work.

He says the issue boils down to a simple question:

“If an agency can provide an employee, why (can’t) Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services find those employees?” He says the union is not prepared to see public services “eroded,” noting that it is not a cost-effective or efficient option, and is an “absolute insult” to employees.)

Earle says NAPE met with NLHS last fall to talk about solutions to the issue.

He says the meeting took place on October 3 and they discussed the use of locums as a possible solution, to which they have not received a response.

VOCM News has reached out to NLHS for comment.

The Corner Brook Winter Carnival will come to a close this weekend. The ten-day celebration of winter will host the Closing Ceremonies from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Royal Canadian Legion on West Street on Sunday.

For those still looking to take part in carnival activities there are still several events taking place today, Saturday, and on Sunday. A full list of events can be found here.

The carnival kicked off on February 21.

The Canada Summer Games, which are being held in the St. John’s area this summer, are looking for torchbearers.

The capital city says it will need over 130 people to carry the torch as part of 15 stops across Newfoundland and Labrador from June 28 to August 5.

The deadline to apply is today.

Applications for big game licences are now being accepted until April 25 for moose, caribou, and black bear licences.

To apply, hunters and trappers must have a Wildlife Information Management System account.

Based on current population trends, most of the province’s game and furbearer species are stable and harvest quotas require only minimal changes.

The 2025-26 moose quota for the Island of Newfoundland is 27,515 licences, including 19,165 either-sex, 7,890 male-only, and 460 not-for-profit licences. In Labrador, 348 either-sex moose licences are available for the resident big game draw.

The caribou quota for the Island of Newfoundland is 612 animals, including 353 either-sex and 259 male-only licences. Caribou hunting remains prohibited in Labrador due to the conservation status and limited recovery of George River and Boreal caribou populations.  

There are some changes this year including establishing Caribou Management Area 80 for Upper Grey Island and extending the season of Caribou Management Areas 71 and 80.

The fall black bear season will be extended to November 30 and re-structuring black bear management areas to broaden hunter opportunities will occur.

A trapper’s beaver licence will be added to permit trapping in unoccupied traplines. Traplines currently assigned to trappers and vacant traplines with waitlists will not be impacted.

Trappers will be required to make break-away devices on neck snares used for trapping furbearers.

The Auditor General would like to see government monitor incentive programs for health professionals, particularly doctors and nurses.

For the 18-month period between April 2023 to October 2024, NL Health Services spent $34.8-million on bonuses to 705 doctors—about $50,000 per person. In the same 18-month period, $11.5-million in signing bonuses were paid out to 668 nurses, roughly $17,000 each.

AG Denise Hanrahan says overall, it appears the physician and nurse incentive programs may be having some degree of impact, but she’s concerned with the level of monitoring.

For example, the only report that has been submitted to Treasury Board has been information related to the long-term care recruitment and retention bonuses.

“We would like to see detailed analysis being made so that they can inform future decisions on whether to keep a type of bonus, whether it needs to be changed, if there are other considerations…just to help the program become more and more effective,” says the Auditor General.

A 48-year-old woman has been arrested after smashing a window of a vehicle with a stick in the west end of St. John’s on Thursday night.

Officers arrived on scene and conducted an investigation, as a result of the investigation, the woman was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon, assault on police, resisting arrest, uttering threats and mischief.

She was held in custody to appear in court in the morning.

The 2026 Allan Cup tournament is coming to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The event will take place at the Conception Bay South Arena, with the Conception Bay Baker Flooring Senior Blues serving as the host team.

The Allan Cup is one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious championships, with a history dating back to 1909.

This will be the first time the tournament will be held in Newfoundland and Labrador in over a decade—the last time being in 2015.

Seniors Blues General Manager Jonathan Kavanagh says it is exciting to host the tournament.

He says they have been in Conception Bay since 2016 and they have been building both their competitiveness on the ice, and their fan base off the ice. “To see it all turn in to a national event held right here in our back yard…truly makes all the hard work over the years worthy.”

Conception Bay Baker Flooring Senior Blues Team captain Kyle Tibbo (VOCM News)

Team captain Kyle Tibbo says it will mean a lot for the tournament to be on home ice.

He says he is looking forward to playing for the Allan Cup in the same place where he grew up and learned how to play hockey, and in front of his family and friends.

Across Labrador, western, and central Newfoundland roads are snow-covered. There is poor visibility from the Trans-Canada Highway to Buchan’s Resource Road and from Gander to Boyd’s Cove. Travel is not recommended from Tompkins to Port aux Basques. Roads on the Avalon Peninsula are bare and wet.

There are number of ferries out of service. Marine Atlantic has cancelled crossings scheduled for this morning. The MV Astron W, MV Flanders, MV Sound of Islay, MV Marine Trader, and MV Challenge One are all out of service. The MV Gallipoli and MV Qajaq W are off schedule.

At the St. John’s International Airport, Air Canada Flights 692 and 697 are delayed and Air Canada Flight 689 28 Fis cancelled. In Deer Lake, Provincial Airlines Flight 902 is delayed.

Icewater Seafoods in Arnold’s Cove has celebrated the first offshore northern cod to be caught and processed locally in more than a generation.

CEO Alberto Wareham says it’s been a long time coming.

Photo via Icewater Seafoods

“Our plant survived the moratorium by in the winter months producing frozen at-sea cod in Russia, Norway or the Faroe Islands, and this was the first time since the moratorium (in 1992) that we’re producing Canadian-caught offshore cod.”

Production started on Monday, and Wareham says most of their product—about 60 to 70 percent—is bound for European markets, however the other 30 to 40 percent goes to the United States, and that says Wareham, is a concern.

Photo via Icewater Seafoods

He says they have product leaving on trucks this weekend to try to get in before March 4 when threatened tariffs are set to take effect. “Cod is at an all-time high in the market because of significant quota cuts in Russia and Norway in the last 3-4 years,” says Wareham, “and our customers just can’t pay 25 per cent more.”

Big game licence applications are now open for the 2025-26 hunting season licence draw.

Eligible hunters and trappers must have an account in order to apply for a licence.

The moose quota for the island for the next season is 27,515 – a drop of 75 from the 2024-25 season.

That includes 19,165 either-sex, 7,890 male only and 460 not-for-profit licences.

In Labrador, 348 either-sex moose licences are available in the resident big game draw.

The caribou quota for the island is 612 animals, an increase of 16 from last year. Caribou hunting in Labrador will continue to be prohibited to help populations recover.

The deadline to apply for big game licences is April 25.

Last March the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate invited young people and families who have direct experience with the mental health system here in the province, as well as professionals and other stakeholders, to reach out to share their experiences and ideas.

So far, the office has heard from many stakeholders and interested parties. Staff from the office have also travelled throughout the province to hold meetings. 

Information will be analyzed, and a final report will be prepared once the analysis has been completed.

Information will be collected until Monday, March 31, 2025.

A woman who smashed out a car’s window had an unusual weapon of choice to do so.

RNC were called to the west end of St. John’s over the supper hour yesterday after a woman beat out a car window with a stick.

The 48-year-old was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon, assaulting police, resisting arrest, uttering threats and mischief.

She was held for court.

Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives waltzed to victory as another term as Premier of Ontario yesterday.

He had roughly twice as many seats as all other parties combined.

The NDP will form the official opposition and The Liberals will be the third party.

Premier Doug Ford capitalized on a battle with U.S. President Donald Trump, often emerging as Captain Canada.

Ford reiterated his commitment to fighting back against Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs during his victory speech.

“I will work with every level of government and every political stripe, because fighting back against Donald Trump, standing up for Canada, it will take a Team Ontario effort, it will take a full Team Canada effort,” Ford told supporters.

It’s Premier Ford’s third majority government.

Alison Coffin, Jim Lester, and Sheila Fitzgerald hope court dates will finally be set Monday.

Grieg Seafood Canada says it's putting a pause on completing a large-scale salmon farming facility in the Newfoundland and Labrador community of Marystown. That decision is largely driven by the inability to find a financing partner and the looming threat of economic tariffs from the United States, the company said.

Mia Francis knows how to create a social media moment. Through her company Chic Celebrations N.L., she designs picture perfect proposals and parties. Now she’s using her space on Water Street to facilitate new friendships and stave off seasonal depression.

The auditor general’s latest report is a less-than-flattering assessment of the checks and balances designed to keep the provincial government’s fiscal house in order.

The report looks at the across-the-board financial statements for 2024 and whether oversight and operations are as efficient as they could be.

Apparently not, says AG Denise Hanrahan, noting for starters almost a third of her recommendations from last year have yet to be implemented.

Of chief concern are issues of conflict of interest, missed reporting deadlines, and attempted fraud, especially involving the one-time cost-of-living cheques.

The roughly $50 million paid in signing bonuses for nurses and doctors also raised red flags, with the AG saying monitoring of that money has been “insufficient.”

Auditor General Denise Hanrahan. (VOCM News)

Then there’s the nearly $2 million in salary overpayments, which has tripled for the civil service since 2019.

Elsewhere, the Francophone school board came under fire for “serious delays” with this and last year’s financial statements.

And the province’s $18-billion debt is also on Hanrahan’s mind, noting government “again plans to spend beyond its means next year.”

She also sounded an ominous tone on rate mitigation and power bills, stating “the future impacts are unknown and may be significant.”

Right-wing influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate have arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after departing Romania on a private jet. The dual US and UK nationals were previously banned from leaving Romania following charges including rape and human trafficking, which they deny. Their lawyer declined to disclose future travel plans. (CNN)

A Cleveland school bus carrying 15 students caught fire during its morning route, but the driver's swift evacuation prevented any injuries. The fire broke out behind a rear wheel, and the driver, praised by the district, credited bus evacuation drills for the smooth and calm evacuation. Another vehicle took the children to school. (NBC News)

A man died in South Carolina after entering a booby-trapped residence, where he was shot. The victim, Jordan Dove, was found at a family member's vacant house. Officials believe the residence was rigged with a shotgun trap targeted at law enforcement. Charges will be brought against the homeowner, Alfonzo Brown. (ABC News)

Schools and colleges in the U.S. are facing a Friday deadline to end diversity programs under a memo issued by the Trump administration. However, many institutions are not rushing to make changes, seeing the legality as unclear. Some state officials and education leaders have advised against immediate action. (AP)

During the last school year, over 10,000 instances of book bans were reported, affecting 4,218 titles in U.S. schools. More than half of the banned books featured people of color or LGBTQ characters. Experts call the bans a harmful assault on marginalized populations, particularly as another new study found nearly 10% of Americans identify as LGBT. (NBC News)

Canada’s top amateur senior hockey players will be in the province next year to face off for the Allen Cup.

The Conception Bay Baker Flooring Senior Blues have been awarded the prestigious opportunity to host the 2026 Allan Cup Challenge. Regarded as one of Canada’s oldest and most storied hockey championships, the Allan Cup dates back to 1909, when it was first donated by Sir H. Montagu Allan to recognize the nation’s top senior men’s amateur team.

This marks only the third time in its history that the Allan Cup will be hosted in Newfoundland and Labrador. Newfoundland teams have tasted success only a handful of times, highlighting the rarity and significance of bringing this national tournament back to the province. In 1985 and 86 the Corner Brook Royals became the province’s first Champions, followed by the Clarenville Caribous in 2011 and the Grand Falls Cataracts in 2017. The Blues roster currently features 3 members of the 2017 winners, forwards Danny Wicks, Brandon Bussey and defenseman Nick Lindstrom.

Hosting the 2026 Allan Cup Challenge is a watershed moment for both the Baker Flooring Senior Blues and Conception Bay South. The tournament is expected to include six teams: the host Blues, the 2025 Herder Memorial Trophy winner, this year’s tournament champion, and squads from the Maritimes, Ontario, and Western Canada.

The Blues, together with the Town of Conception Bay South, the team sponsors, and volunteers are already working diligently to ensure that the 2026 Allan Cup Challenge exceeds expectations. Further details about schedules, tickets, and related events will be announced in the coming months and can be found on www.seniorblues.ca. Fans are encouraged to follow the Blues social media.

The Blues who finished first in the Avalon East Senior Hockey League this season have been a perennial
contender for a number of years. The roster features mainly local players and features former USPORT
players Kyle Tibbo, Kris Hodge, Lee Dower and Nathan Kelly as well as former QMJHL players Adam Nolan, Nick Gosse, Danny Wicks and Zach Moody. Lead by goaltender Matt Jenkins, the Blues are currently in the AESHL semi-finals, which continues this weekend with a 3 game set versus the Clarenville Caribous.

The Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is Canada’s oldest national hockey championship trophy for men’s senior “AAA” competition. It has been won by only a few Newfoundland teams in its long history, underscoring the significance of this opportunity to both the province and local hockey fan.
Previous Newfoundland host locations:
1985 – Corner Brook Royals
2011 – Clarenville Caribous
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our players, coaches, volunteers, and fans. The town of Conception Bay
South has rallied behind the Blues for years, building one of the largest fan bases in the Avalon East Senior Hockey League,” says Jonathan Kavanagh, General Manager and Coach. “Our players and sponsors have worked tirelessly to create a stable franchise capable of hosting an event of this stature. We are thrilled to bring a national championship to our home and share this momentous occasion with everyone who has supported us along the way. We look forward to welcoming teams from across the country, showing them the warm hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador is famous for, and putting on an event everyone will remember.”

A memorial event dedicated to the 3rd anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine was held on Monday at the St.John’s Convention Centre. NTV’s Maria Kavatsiuk was there and has the story

After a quiet Thursday, another round of snow, rain, and wind is set to move across the Island between late Thursday night and Friday night. The risk of flooding is real along the South Coast, where 50 to 100 mm will fall overnight into Friday. Lesser amounts are expected farther north and west. Meanwhile, snow will fly throughout much of the Big Land.

I review all the details in my forecast from Thursday’s NTV Evening News Hour.

The Auditor General has released a new report on government spending. 

And has found issues with things like over-payments for public workers, and tracking bonuses for health care employees. 

NTV’s Ben Cleary has the details. 

A former anglican minister who was dismissed from her church last month after a dispute with her bishop is speaking out this evening.

That’s one day after her parishioners staged a demonstration calling for her reinstatement.

NTV’s Don Bradshaw has the story.

The province has committed to a new mammography unit for Grand Falls-Windsor, but NL Health Services says it will take at least four to five months to be operational.

NTV’s Colleen Lewis has the story.

Romance scams are on the rise in this province. Every year, more and more people looking for love online end up getting defrauded out of big money.

NTV’s Rosie Mullaley reports.

Independent MHA Eddie Joyce is calling on the province to increase efforts to recruit a radiation oncologist for the new Corner Brook hospital.

Joyce says, with health authorities across the country competing to fill similar posts, Newfoundland and Labrador may have to spend a little more money.

NTV’s Don Bradshaw reports.

It’s a day that Arnold’s Cove residents and workers have been waiting for, for more than three decades. This week Icewater Seafoods plant processed offshore northern cod, for the first time since the cod moratorium back in 1992. 

As NTV’s Beth Penney tells us, longtime plant workers say it’s a prideful day.

Members of a Corner Brook church's governing body are resigning en masse after their bishop fired their beloved leader without explanation a month ago.

Leaders in two of central Newfoundland's largest communities hope the surprise resignation of Premier Andrew Furey doesn't complicate their plans for their towns.

The provincial government has come through with another $25,000 to raise up a statue of women’s suffrage leader Armine Gosling.

That’s in addition to the $40,000 the province provided to kickstart the Raise Her Up campaign in 2023.

The life-size bronze statue of Gosling, a pioneer in social reform and feminism, and who led the fight for women to vote in NL, will be unveiled in Bannerman Park in mid-June.

The exact date has yet to be revealed.

The funding comes in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of women achieving the right to vote and hold public office in Newfoundland and Labrador on April 3, 2025.

“Armine Gosling was a trailblazer, whose unwavering determination helped secure the right to vote for women in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality.

“This statue is a testament to her courage, resilience, and the progress the Women’s Franchise League fought for, reminding us that democracy is strongest when all voices are heard.”

Dr. Margot Duley, Chair of the Armine Gosling Statue Committee, PerSIStence Theatre Company, with Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, (VOCM News)

The Gosling statue, designed by Newfoundland and Labrador artist Sheila Coultas, will be the second of a historical woman to be erected in the City of St. John’s.

The first was Demasduit, a Beothuk woman (and her husband Nonosabasut, and infant son), unveiled at Confederation Building in October 2024.

“We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador towards raising a bronze statue of women’s suffrage leader Armine Gosling,” said Dr. Margot Duley, Chair of the Armine Gosling Statue Committee, PerSIStence Theatre Company.

“This financial support represents a tangible and ongoing commitment to making our public history more inclusive and, on the 100th anniversary of the vote, it recognizes the importance of this transformative social movement that continues to lead our province forward.”

Premier Furey's surprise resignation left many people scratching their heads, but it made Sean Panting reach for his guitar. Panting whipped up a brand new song to sum up this political moment, and performed it live on CBC Radio.

An Acadia University political science professor says the candidate to replace Andrew Furey as leader of the province’s Liberal Party will have to consider the interests of Newfoundland and Labrador first.

Furey cited the uncertainty created by US President Donald Trump as one of the factors that influenced the timing of his decision to resign from the political sphere.

Furey indicated that he and his family didn’t think he could commit to another full four-year term, and surprised the province by announcing his intention to step down.

The race now begins for a successor to the premier. Alex Marland, a former Memorial University political scientist now working at Acadia in Nova Scotia, says while it’s a tumultuous time, ultimately, the next in line will have to have energy and the ability to make difficult decisions.

“Especially in a period when people really need calm, they need assurance. There’s a lot of anxiety regardless of President Trump just because of the cost of living, and inflation and the economy,” says Marland. “It’s going to be very hard for whoever is leader,” but, Marland says, sometimes difficult situations can create opportunities.

“I’m hoping that whoever becomes the next premier is going to come at it with an attitude of trying to serve their community.”

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