A recent Access to Information request conducted by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has revealed that Global Affairs Canada has spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the last decade on various properties around the world.

Federal Director Franco Terrazzano says their access request was inspired by news over the summer that Global Affairs Canada had purchased a $9 million condo in New York City, without Treasury Board approval.

Terrazzano says that begs the question: what else has Global Affairs purchased? He says what they found surprised them.

It turns out that Global Affairs Canada owns more than 400 properties in over 70 countries, and that they spent $186 million on property around the world in the last decade.

That includes $12.5 million worth of vacant land in Senegal, a $10.2 million chancery in Ukraine and $41 million on three properties in Kabul, Afghanistan that Terrazzano says were eventually abandoned to the Taliban.

Terrazzano calls Global Affairs Canada’s real estate portfolio on the taxpayers’ tab “bloated” and if Canadians aren’t getting real value out of the holdings, then it’s time to sell off the properties.

Motorists travelling in the Galway area can now avail of the new Galway Interchange. The project has been completed. Motorists can now enter and exit Galway via the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway. 

The new interchange will help ease traffic congestion on Pitts Memorial Drive, as well as nearby roadways.

The work included the construction of an underpass below the Trans-Canada Highway at Exit 41, as well as ramps and a roundabout on the western side of the highway that will connect to Danny Drive via the underpass.

Premier Francois Legault took to social media this weekend, praising the MOU signed with Newfoundland and Labrador on hydro development a “great day for Quebec.”

A major component of the deal announced last week is the change in the price Quebec pays Newfoundland and Labrador per kilowatt hour of energy generated from the Upper Churchill project from 0.2 cents to 5.9 cents – coupled with an escalator clause.

While better than the measly amount Newfoundland and Labrador had been reaping for the last five decades, it’s still far lower than what Quebec sells the power for on the market.

Une entente historique entre le Québec et Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. pic.twitter.com/riykQYdnfT

— François Legault (@francoislegault) December 15, 2024

Legault says the agreement guarantees Quebec very low rates, and the Quebec government saved almost $200 billion by going this route rather than finding a domestic solution to its power needs.

He told Quebecers that the new MOU, once finalized, will allow his province to see increases in rates of no more than three per cent—explaining to Quebec rate payers that low rates are now set for the next generation.

NL Quick to Launch New Advertising Campaign

Premier Andrew Furey

Newfoundland and Labrador has embarked on an extensive advertising campaign including television and radio ads nationally and locally touting the benefits for this province. Premier Andrew Furey embarked on the ad campaign almost immediately on the heels of the Churchill Falls agreement.

In the ad, Furey directs people to the website ourchapter.ca

“Fifty years of feeling angry and powerless, but now it is our time. We’re now tearing up that contract and regaining our power. We’re getting more development, more jobs and more money. It’s a new future for our kids and grandkids.”

The provincial government is reminding residents living in coastal Labrador communities who are 65 and older to file their 2023 income tax returns by December 31, 2024, to avail of the 2024 Coastal Labrador Seniors’ Food and Heating Supplement.

The annual $500 supplement is available to seniors living in Coastal Labrador communities to help with the cost of food and heating.

There is no requirement for eligible individuals to apply.

Residents who have already filed their tax returns will receive their cheques in the coming weeks.

The Newfoundland Teachers’ Association has a new second-in-command.

Sean Weir has been elected as Vice-President of the NLTA after a province-wide electronic vote. He begins his two-year term next August.

Weir, vice-principal at Bayside Academy in Port Hope Simpson, is currently a member of the provincial executive. He begins his vice-presidency next summer under the presidency of Dale Lambe.

Premiers from across the country, including Andrew Furey, are meeting in Toronto today to discuss health care, energy and Canada-U.S. relations.

The meeting is being hosted by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who just last week threatened to cut power to the U.S. if President-Elect Trump imposed tariffs on Canada.

Ford emphasized the importance of Canada-U.S. relations, saying premiers need to work together “to build up stronger partnerships on both sides of the border.”

VOCM News will have details as they become available.

The energy and communications sectors are asking the federal government to stiffen penalties for people who damage critical infrastructure, often interfering with hospitals, airports, banks and many other essential operations.

Companies and sector representatives have told the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications that incidents such as the theft of copper wire have skyrocketed the past few years. It’s causing major problems including systems failure, and has resulted in utilities and others imposing tighter security systems.

In many cases, a person suspected in the theft of copper wire is charged with theft under $5000 but industry wants to see much tougher penalties.

(Wires cut at the Bell Aliant substation in Clarke’s Beach earlier this year.)

Bell Canada, whose network stretches from the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border to Newfoundland and Labrador, was one of the companies appearing before the committee. Michelle Austin, vice-president of public affairs with Bell, said a month ago thieves cut copper and fibre wires in Miramichi, New Brunswick which took 24 hours to repair, and cost $30,000.

“Since January, 2022, there have been over 1,650 physical network impacting security incidents across Bell’s footprint. Copper theft is responsible for 88 per cent of the physical and security incidents that impact Bell’s network. The year-over-year increase from November 2023 to November 2024 was 78 per cent,” said Austin.

Canada Post will resume operations tomorrow.

Last week, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon established a process with the Canada Industrial Relations Board to assess the likelihood of both sides reaching agreements by the end of the year.

After hearings over the weekend, it was determined that the parties were at an impasse. As a result, employees were ordered to return to work at 8:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

Employees will receive a retroactive wage increase of five percent. The increase will be retroactive to the day after each collective agreement expired. The increase will be in effect going forward.

The retroactive portion will be paid out to current employees in two portions. The first is an upfront payment before Christmas of $1000 for all regular employees and $500 for temporary employees based on a minimum number of hours. The remainder of the retroactive pay will be forwarded by the end of January.

The terms of the existing collective agreements will be extended until May 22, 2025. Collective agreements between Canada Post and CUPW expired on December 31, 2023, for the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers unit and on January 31, 2024, for the urban unit.

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada will fight for Canada, and that will be a focus of today’s long-awaited fall fiscal update.

Freeland last week indicated that Ottawa hit its debt-to-GDP target last year, but would not commit to meeting the $40 billion deficit target set.

Expectations are that today’s update will be a positive affair leading into a possible election early in the new year, but the minister says it will also address the “reality of the incoming US administration.”

Freeland says expect to hear more today about Canada’s approach to what’s happening south of the border and the Trump administration’s America First economic policy.

“This is an administration which openly has a strategy of creating economic uncertainty outside the United States,” Freeland told reporters on Friday. That’s a strategy says Freeland which is focused on discouraging investment “anywhere other than the United States.”

After a month on the picket line, thousands of Canada Post workers have been mandated back to work tomorrow.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board determined that CUP-W and the Crown corporation were at an impasse with no likelihood of a deal by December 31.

Existing collective agreements will be extended to May 22, 2025.

The two sides have agreed on a five per cent wage increase, retroactive to the day the collective agreements expired.

The federal government had said it would not mandate employees back to work, but that changed on Friday when labour minister Steven MacKinnon called for an end to the work stoppage.

On the heels of a historic announcement that hundreds of billions of dollars could be pouring into Newfoundland and Labrador’s coffers in the coming years, the question remains: how will that money be spent? With a net debt now at $17.7 billion, Premier Andrew Furey is suggesting debt reduction is a priority.

Sunrises, Sunsets and snow all collide in this collection of photos from all across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Two Russian tankers were severely damaged in the Kerch Strait after a storm, leading to a serious oil spill in the Black Sea. One tanker sank, with one fatality, while the other remained adrift. The vessels were carrying a total of nearly 9,000 tons of fuel oil. Assessments of the oil spill's impact are ongoing. (AP)

ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump. The network will also make a $1 million payment for Trump's attorney fees. As part of the settlement, ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos expressed regret for statements made during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace. (UPI)

Sen. Chuck Schumer has urged the federal government to use better drone-tracking technology to identify and stop drones flying over New York and New Jersey. Concerns have grown as the government has not provided clear explanations about the drones' operators. President-elect Donald Trump has also expressed concern. (AP)

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, 84, had successful hip replacement surgery after falling in Luxembourg with a congressional delegation. She is recovering well and expressed gratitude to medical staff. Pelosi sustained the injury during an official engagement marking the Battle of the Bulge anniversary. She is unable to attend remaining engagements. (ABC News)

President-elect Trump told Meet The Press last week that promising to lower grocery prices helped him win the election. "I won on groceries," he said. "Very simple word, groceries." But he told TIME days later that his second term won't be a "failure" if he can't deliver. "It's hard to bring things down once they're up. You know, it's very hard," Trump said. (ABC News)

The two-month GST/HST holiday officially began this weekend. There is no tax on items such as children’s clothes and toys, food and more until mid-February. But, local businesses say the government has left them high and dry with little guidance on what items qualify and with little time to prepare. 

NTV’s Bailey Howard has the story.

The cautious optimism continues for the new Churchill Falls deal between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec as organizations look at what the deal could mean for the mining sector and for taxpayers. NTV’s Bailey Howard tells us more.

It’s been more than a month on the picket line for Canada Post workers but questions remain as to whether or not an ends is in sight. Ahead of the weekend, federal Labour Minister Steven Mackinnon announced it was time to get striking workers back on the job. That means workers could be legislated back to work if the labor board finds a resolution is too far out of reach. If that happens, the terms of the existing agreements between Canada Post and its CUPW workers will extended to May 2025. Workers here in the province remain on the picket line. 

Tis the season in Conception Harbour as thousands of lights have once again transformed the area into a self-guided holiday forest trail, attracting crowds and offering up it’s annual splash of Christmas spirit. NTV’s Kyle Brookings takes us there

The story and hit Broadway musical is forever tied to this province and the town that opened its doors to the world two decades ago. With Come From Away announcing its return to Gander next summer, the community is gearing up for another busy tourism season. NTV’s Colleen Lewis has more. 

A young entrepreneur with a creative flair from this province has had his work go right to the top in Nova Scotia politics. Now being recognized for his work back home as a CNA alumni, Becky Daley brings you Jacob Manning’s story in this week’s Our Time. 

The GST/HST tax holiday kicked off this weekend. From now until Valentine’s Day, Canadians will be saving on food, drink, children’s items and more. How are shoppers and business owners making the best of the first day of the two-month saving spree?

Islamic Relief has been helping the community in St. John's since February 2024. Now, moving into the cold winter months, they're looking to help people in need feel a bit warmer.

The provincial government has launched a new website to allow residents to apply for a quitclaim deed under the Primary Residence Property Title Program.

The new online portal is part of recent policy changes to the Lands Act to ease the process when it comes to applying for, or securing title to, Crown lands.

Minister Gerry Byrne says the new portal will help speed up the process.

“Instead of doing a paper copy – all the applications before were paper-based and it took some effort s to be able to fill them out and then to send them off to Crown Lands.” Byrne admits that wasn’t a huge amount of work, but having an online, digital portal that all of these can be done electronically is not only helpful to you as an applicant, but it’s also extremely helpful when we access the application. It’s all digital.”

Artificial intelligence can help you find a gift for that person in your life who’s hard to shop for.

A new program is available to analyze your preferences and past purchases to tailor gift ideas and suggestions.

Local tech blogger Kevin Andrews says it’s like having a personal shopping assistant available 24/7, learning what you like, and what you buy for others.

“At the moment,,” says Andrews, “I’ve been playing with one that has a Genie feature on the site, that allows you to chat with AI, and help narrow down your gift list.” “I have to say,” Andrews admits, “it’s doing a decent job in getting me the gifts I want, at the prices I need.”

A new online application system aims to clear up any confusion around Crown land disputes in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Labrador Marine says the Kamutik W is continuing to supply northern Labrador with food and supplies, even as ice forms along the coast.

The vessel is still regularly passing in and out of Lake Melville and travelling to Labrador coastal communities, which are resulting in open water and unpredictable ice conditions for snowmobilers and those venturing out on the ice.

Labrador Marine says that depending on the conditions, the shipping season is expected to wrap up on December 28th, with further updates to be provided as necessary.

Eddie Joyce, the Independent MHA for Humber-Bay of Islands, and his family have made their annual trip to Uganda for humanitarian work.

As part of the trip, Joyce went to Kenya to participate in a two-day jigger clinic.

As Joyce explains, jiggers stem from the red clay. Children and adults without proper footwear and hygiene are susceptible to parasites that are similar to worms. They grow and mutate in the feet of humans.

He says they are painful, and if not taken care of, people will not be able to walk, leaving them open to develop in their knees and other parts of the body.

Joyce says they participate in jigger clinics during every trip through the organization Sole Hope and have, at times, removed hundreds from people’s feet.

He says they remove them using stickpins. They will wash their feet, educate them about the parasites, and give them a new pair of shoes. On average, when they follow up a year later, 80 per cent of people are jigger free.

The privacy commissioner has ruled against the RNC in its refusal to release an investigative file.

The RNC refused to disclose the record because it was excluded from the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The complainant then went to the privacy commissioner, but the RNC withheld the file from that office as well.

The case in question involved a complaint that somebody had, on several occasions, accessed the person’s personal computer without having a right to do so, and whether such actions might be a
criminal offence. Upon not receiving any responsive records from the RNC, the complainant asked the privacy commissioner to rule on the matter.

The commissioner has found that there is only one appropriate recommendation, which is to disclose the record to the complainant.

If the RNC disagrees with that recommendation, then it may apply to the court under section 50 of the Act for a declaration that it is not required to comply.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is advising motorists on the west coast of traffic impacts on the TCH between the Riverside Drive and Marble Mountain interchanges next week.

Between Monday and Tuesday, one of the eastbound lanes of the TCH in the area will be closed and motorists should anticipate traffic slowdowns and delays. On Wednesday morning, Dec. 18, all lanes of the highway will be closed for a short period of time and motorists should plan for this delay. An update will be provided on Tuesday, Dec. 17, regarding the timing of the closure on Wednesday.

The temporary lane reduction and closure are necessary to facilitate highway maintenance work in the area. Speed reductions will be in place and motorists are advised to please exercise caution in the area, be vigilant and slow their speeds.

The company behind a proposed hydrogen production facility powered by wind energy in the Exploits Valley region says it is committed to the responsible development of the project.

This week, the environment minister requested that the proponent, the Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation, prepare an environmental impact statement.

The CEO of Abraxis Power, J. Colter Eadie, says EVREC is fully committed to providing the government with detailed information, ensuring what he calls “the highest standards of integrity and transparency.”

The company was awarded access to more than 300 square km of Crown lands by the provincial government last year for use in the development of a 3-gigawatt wind development to power hydrogen and ammonia production facilities.

The company claims the project will boost the provincial GDP by $7.8 billion over its 34-year lifespan.

Photo via Gov NL

The annual Toys for the North campaign has officially kicked off with the arrival of Santa on a plane full of gifts.

Santa touched down in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on December 6th to deliver a shipment of toys and hockey gear for players and goalies.

The toys and equipment are now being distributed to children from newborn to age 11 in northern Labrador coastal communities.

The initiative is a partnership between the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador, RCMP Air Services, the Canadian Toy Association, Thomson Terminal, the Royal Canadian Air Force, 5 Wing Goose Bay and Woodward Aviation.

The Toys for the North program has been distributing items to the north coast since 2012 with an average of 4000 kids getting a toy delivered by RCMP employees across the country.

Newfoundland and Labrador has lost a many-storied legend. Ron Young, founder and editor of Downhome Magazine, died on Dec. 6 at 80.

The province’s mining industry is reacting with optimism to the MOU reached between he Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec governments on replacement of the 1969 Upper Churchill Contract.

That, in addition to the development of the Gull Island hydro project, will have what Mining Industry NL says will be “a positive impact on the industry” and a “catalyst for new and expanding developments in Labrador.”

The industry association says the mining industry is reliant on access to clean energy and an increase of 1,990 mW of power is “warmly welcomed” and crucial to developing the province’s mining potential.

A man is in the lockup after an incident in Paradise mid-afternoon Saturday.

The RNC charged a 58-year-old with assault and uttering threats. The victim, a woman, sustained minor injuries. The two knew each other.

Opposition health critic Barry Petten is once again raising the alarm regarding the availability of ambulances – this time after he says car accident victims in Mount Pearl had a lengthy wait to receive treatment earlier this week.

Petten says two vehicles collided head-on, and a third flipped onto its side.

According to Petten, victims were left waiting for over an hour for an ambulance to be dispatched from Whitbourne because none were available locally.

He draws similarities to an incident that he raised on the floor of the legislature in which he says a shooting victim in CBS was left waiting for an ambulance and ultimately had to be taken to hospital by his father.

Petten states there is a “systemic issue” with the availability of ambulances and paramedics during emergencies, and lives are being put at risk.

He is urging the government to act urgently to stabilize ambulance response times.

‘Tis the season when police step up their patrols to nab people who play the Christmas party circuit. One such roadblock on Portugal Cove Road late last night resulted in about 70 vehicles being stopped.

One person, a 37-year-old woman, tried to evade officers by turning around upon approach. The RNC quickly caught up with her and cited her for blowing a warning on the 7-day suspension scale. They also impounded her vehicle.

In a separate incident, officers stopped a 78-year-old man in metro around 8:00 and cited him for drunk driving. The suspect was released but the vehicle was impounded.

At Lewisporte Collegiate, there are 250 students and 120 play an instrument in the band. Students say Adam Baxter, the band's director, is the reason why they love band and stick with music.

At the front of a classroom at Goulds Elementary is a framed art assignment by a former student — a collection of hand prints in the shape of a sun. "Curtis Hudson" is signed at the bottom. It's a monument to a child who lit up the school with his kindness and curiosity.

The Corner Brook Status of Women Council is offering drink covers ahead of the holiday party season to help prevent drink spiking. A representative says it’s not about victim blaming.

A man who ended up with the tenant from hell is baffled as to why he cannot get him out, even though he rented the premises as a B&B – a short-term rental.

Steven Campbell says now, the renter is claiming that he is protected from eviction by the Newfoundland and Labrador Residential Tenancies Board. The board is claiming that the owner has to go through a hearing to determine the jurisdictional question, a process which could take months.

Campbell says the RNC are powerless to remove the renter until the jurisdictional question is settled.

Campbell says the person in question has three pitbulls inside the unit, and most other tenants in the building have moved elsewhere out of fear. He says untold damage is being done.

He says the catch 22 is being perpetrated.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro says it will have input throughout the process of developing two new megaprojects in Labrador as part of an MOU between this province and Quebec.

The agreement includes the development of Gull Island, as well as a new powerhouse being added at Churchill Falls.

Quebec will bear the full responsibility when it comes to construction risks and cost overruns, with NL Hydro managing the facilities once they are built.

CEO Jennifer Williams says Quebec handling that aspect is “quite good” for them, and notes that Hydro will have its say throughout the entire process.

She says they will have a consultative role and will be giving input. “It’s not just going to happen and we’ll show up one day and take the keys, it very much will be a partnership in how these proceed.”

Two former premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador say a draft energy agreement signed Thursday with Quebec shattered a political standoff that leaders had been trying to end for decades.

A local veterinarian says now is a good time to plan ahead if your pet will require regular medication through the holiday season.

Dr. Maggie Brown-Bury, a locum who provides vet services at various clinics across the province, expects most vet clinics to adjust their hours over the holidays, or close altogether.

She says planning ahead if your pet requires regular medication can alleviate a lot of stress.

“Making sure that if your pet is on long-term medication, are you going to run out in the middle of the holidays? Do you have enough to get you through into January? If your pet is on a special diet, do you have enough to get you through into January? You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you’re calling the emergency line on Christmas Day because you’ve run out of insulin for your diabetic pet.”

RCMP are investigating after someone broke into a business in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and made off with a number of items, valued at $2,300.

Police say the suspect broke into Slippers N’ Things around 4:00 a.m. Wednesday and removed three sets of seal skin mitts and three pairs of beaver fur mitts.

The suspect was last seen pedaling a bicycle south on Hamilton River Road.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP at 709-896-3383 or Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-8477.

A two-month GST/HST tax holiday on certain essential items starts today, and while that’s good news for families and shoppers, it’s a confusing headache for many small business owners who are trying to navigate what’s eligible for the discount and what’s not.

Peg Norman of the Travel Bug says it’s a lot harder than it sounds, and to now, the federal government website has not offered much more clarity.

Norman offers one of her products as an example. “We sell an item called the Spy Belt, which is designed to be worn very close to the body. The kids version, is worn by kids that use it for carrying their EpiPens, or their insulin pumps, but it’s not technically clothing, so is that included? I don’t know!”

She’s hopeful that the federal government won’t decide to come back and challenge how much tax she’s collected during that two-month period.

Items covered by the temporary GST/HST break include things like prepared foods, including vegetable and fruit trays, pre-made meals and, salads and sandwiches.

Some alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, are now exempt from the 15 per cent HST. For example, a dozen cans of beer will be about $4.20 less, dropping the case to over $29 from over $33.

Snack foods, including chips, candy, and granola bars, are also on the list.

Children’s toys, clothing and footwear will also see the tax break along with car seats and diapers, while books, printed newspapers and puzzles for all ages are also included.

The tax on Christmas trees is discounted for those who waited to buy.

An economist says his pessimism about Newfoundland and Labrador's future is dwindling following the announcement of a proposed new deal for power out of Churchill Falls.