Infrastructure Investments are Quality of Life Investments 

Quality of life is multifaceted and with an aging population, changing labour demands and competition for talent, investments in infrastructure is about investments in people and investments for economic development. 

Infrastructure investments by the City of St. John’s and partners improve the lives of citizens and are important to supporting the city’s attractiveness for people, post-secondary students, businesses and investments.

New Mews Centre currently under construction near Mundy Pond, St. John's.

A sample of these investments: 

• The Fortis Canada Games complex, a key piece of infrastructure for the 2025 Canada Games, will be a world-class facility benefiting athletes of all ages. The legacy of hosting the Canada Games will be added new or improved facilities and in the long term of for use by athletes and recreation users. 
• New Mews Centre - St. John’s continues to invest in and enhance our spaces and facilities, to foster connection in our communities and promote health and wellness.
• The City supports the East Coast Trail Association, that protects the natural coastal landscape while providing hikers with access to freely enjoy world class natural hiking experiences.
• Village Green playground has opened in Galway, the first phase of this park development project.
• Improving our transportation network is about growing a safe, accessible, balanced network through the expansion of shared use paths projects and continued investment in Metrobus and GoBus transit.
• Choices for Youth Social Enterprise and Innovation Hub – The City, a supporter in the investment, will transform an older commercial building at 340 Lemarchant Road into an energy efficient, accessible space. 

Investments in roads, parks, facilities, and public transit create the kind of economic and social opportunities necessary for individuals and communities to thrive.

Call for Performers

The City of St. John’s is seeking performers for the 2024 special events season. Our annual Call for Performers helps the City program arts and cultural performances for special events like the Music @ concert series, Dockside Welcomes and other City of St. John’s hosted events and festivals. We invite solo and group applications in all the performing arts disciplines. To apply, performers are required to complete and submit the online application form during the open call. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 29, 2024. 

St. John’s Seeking Public Input on New Recreation Master Plan

The City of St. John’s is seeking ideas and feedback from the community to help it develop a new Recreation Master Plan. Councillor Jill Bruce, the lead for community connections, says the objective is to build an innovative and progressive roadmap to guide the delivery of meaningful recreation services for all ages abilities for years to come.

Public sessions will take place in the Goulds March 12, at Kenmount Terrace March 13 and via Zoom March 20. Feedback will be received until March 31.

Clean energy industry momentum building in NL as Canada supports new green hydrogen project

World Energy GH2 has secured a $128- million credit facility (a type of pre-approved loan) through Export Development Canada to support the development of Project Nujio’qonik, located on the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. The project is to include two to three wind farms in and around Stephenville to initially produce about 250,000 tonnes of hydrogen a year. The World Energy GH2 project is currently undergoing provincial environmental assessment.  

Improved retention rates - immigration uptick

Statistics Canada has released data on provincial retention rates for newcomers both one year and five years after they arrive in Canada. The study looked at the percentage of immigrants who filed taxes in the province or territory where they intended to live, as indicated in their permanent residence application, one and five years after admission to Canada.

Overall, the report found that immigrant retention rates were on the rise in Atlantic Canada while retention rates in the prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba showed a decline. The study notes that the one-year rate of retention in Newfoundland and Labrador grew from 55% for those admitted in 2016 to 66.4% for those admitted in 2020.

A higher rate of retention for skilled workers in the Atlantic provinces can be linked to the launch of the Atlantic Immigration Program. Newfoundland and Labrador saw a bump of 18.7 percentage points between 2016-2020, from 31.3% to 50%.

While the overall trend line is positive, it’s not a straight line. Retention rates — whether five-year or one-year, have experienced higher peaks in some Atlantic provinces over the period. The study notes that retaining economic immigrants has always played a key role in relieving regional labour shortages.

econext asking NL businesses to reach out about their solid waste streams

Econext is looking to work with businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador to help them address their waste management challenges. 

“Sometimes there is value to be found in the things that we are sending right to the landfill,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “When a business is able to do something else with its waste streams – a number of positive things can happen.”

Interested businesses can get in touch with econext to learn more econext.ca.

Did you know that Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada has Trade Commissioners on the ground in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador? Start your global expansion today! https://loom.ly/UTXkHgA

Are you 29 or younger and need help getting started or figuring out your next step as a Musician? MusicNL is now a Youth Ventures site! 🍋

Reach out to: music@youthventuresnl.com

Braya Renewable Fuels LP has announced the first commercial production of a renewable diesel product at their converted plant near St. John's in Come By Chance, NL.

St. John's travellers looking to get to Canada's capital (#YOW) have a new direct flight coming this summer from Porter Airlines at St. John's International Airport. Full story: https://loom.ly/AHh-tl4.

The City of St. John’s has released its Economic Review 2023, our annual report on economic indicators for the St. John’s CMA. The economy showed signs of improvement in many indicators last year. Economic Review 2023.

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