Residents Benefit from Improved and Expanded Government Services

In 2012 Service NL enhanced and expanded its suite of programs and services for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

"This has been a banner year for the department as we began our first full year under our new name, Service NL," said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Service NL. "With expansion of the BizPaL program, new blue zone parking regulations, a seniors discount program and the launch of online restaurant reports, we have continued to make strides towards offering expanded services which better serve the people of the province."

In February, Service NL amended the Buildings Accessibility Regulations and the Designated Mobility Impaired Parking Regulations, to increase the fines for illegally parking in blue zone parking spaces. In addition, these changes strengthened the requirements for signs identifying spaces designated for persons with physical disabilities to be clearly identified, permanently installed, and kept in good repair.

In May, the department announced the expansion of the BizPaL program with 12 new municipalities added, increasing the total number of partner communities to 38. BizPaL is an innovative service that provides businesses and prospective entrepreneurs with simplified access to information on permits, licences or other approvals needed from all three levels of government to establish and run their businesses. The service saves time and money, and improves business planning.

Budget 2012: People and Prosperity, included $3.7 million to provide seniors aged 65 and over with a 35 per cent reduction on driver’s licence and vehicle registration fees, and other licences and fees for such things as hunting, fishing, cutting wood and camping offered through Service NL, the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Natural Resources.

In November, Service NL launched a new online resource enabling the public to access restaurant inspection reports electronically. While inspection reports have always been accessible upon request through the regional Government Service Centres, this new information resource provides an enhanced level of access by making these reports available online, 24 hours a day. This information has always been publicly available however by providing restaurant reports online, the Provincial Government is proactively disclosing information and making access to this information much easier.

"Our province continues to grow with new projects coming on stream each day," said Minister McGrath. "With this expansion, Service NL remains committed to expanding online services, assisting companies in doing business in the province and protecting access for people with disabilities."

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Service NL
709-729-4860, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca 

2012 12 24                                          11:05 a.m.