Mount Pearl business gets tariff relief funds

By Tyler Waugh

A Mount Pearl developer and manufacturer of advanced wireless net monitoring, gear finding and target detection systems for fishing vessels has received $375,000 from a federal fund aimed at alleviating a business downturn because of U.S. tariffs.

Notus Electronics Ltd., said it will use the money to modernize and showcase its wireless marine monitoring products to customers, grow sales in domestic and international markets, and explore opportunities in Europe and Southeast Asia, while supporting jobs, strengthening global partnerships, and enhancing the company's competitiveness.
"The global marketplace is changing rapidly, but we see tremendous opportunities through diversification of markets, products and supply chains," said Francis Parrott, marketing manager of Notus, adding the funds will help accelerate the company's growth strategy.
The funds come from a total of $110 million controlled by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) as part of the tariff response program, which is slated to provide $1.5 billion over three years to help Canadian business respond to global trade pressures by strengthening productivity and building long-term competitiveness.
"Newfoundland and Labrador-based businesses, like Notus Electronics, are developing innovative technologies, finding new ways to grow, and helping solve challenges around the world,” said Cape Spear MP Tom Osborne. “By supporting local companies through extraordinary times, we're investing in strong local businesses, good jobs, and resilient communities.”

City awards material inspection contract

By Tyler Waugh

Mount Pearl City Council awarded a contract for material testing and inspection services to GEMTEC Consulting Engineers and Scientists Limited during its May 26 regular meeting.
A request for the 2026-2028 standing offer closed on April 30 and the city received seven submissions. Councillor Mark Rice reported at the meeting that six of the seven bidders submitted compliant proposals, of which four met the minimum technical requirements.

Staff recommended council award the contact to the highest-ranked respondent, GEMTEC, in the amount of $171,351.73, HST included.
“This standing offer provides a cost-effective approach for city projects,” Rice said, adding that costs will be allocated to their respective project budgets. “Work to be performed consists of materials and compaction testing of asphalt, concrete, granular materials, and subgrade to ensure compliance with the Municipal Water, Sewer and Roads Master Construction Specifications and the City’s standards.”
The motion passed unanimously.

Commonwealth lane re-opening delayed again

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A stretch of Commonwealth Avenue closed since November 2025 due to work on a private underground asset, has seen its re-opening delayed again, much to the chagrin of city council.
A 140-metre section of the southbound curb side lane between the Whiteley Drive intersections was scheduled for an already delayed re-opening in late May. However, ongoing engineering challenges amid road structure concerns has pushed the anticipated opening date to July 2026, despite the city’s ongoing requests for an accelerated timeline for reopening.
“The city recognizes and shares the frustration of residents and commuters and is committed to resolving the issue and restoring full access to Commonwealth Avenue as soon as possible,” councillor Mark Rice reported during a roundtable discussion at the May 26 regular council meeting. “The issue originated in December 2025 when Bell conducted work on an underground concrete chamber at this location. During a routine city inspection concerns were identified about the structural integrity of the chamber roof.”
Rice reported that Bell then retained a third-party structural engineering firm to carry out further inspections and testing and it was determined in February 2026 that the chamber roof did not meet the required load capacity under the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code.
Bell was required to revise its approach and submit updated engineering drawings to the city.
“There has been a lot of back and forth between Bell and the city on this one,” Rice said, adding that factors like additional engineering work and weather conditions contributed to the delays.
“The city’s priority right now remains ensuring that the work is to be completed safely and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.”
Bell has ultimately decided to shift its approach from an underground solution to an above-ground cable transfer.

Engineering director Scott Batt told council that Bell stated in the past week that it is looking to implement a temporary steel plate solution at the site to hopefully open the roadway sooner than the final project completion date.
Mayor Dave Aker said the fact that the company has closed a lane down for what has amounted to eight months, and is now considering a different approach, is totally unacceptable.
“It makes you wonder if they’d picked the right way in the first place would they have had this done back in January,” Aker said.
Rice said the city is not seeking any recourse or action against Bell at this time.
The City has maintained an ongoing notice about this work on mountpearl.ca. Updates have also been provided through Facebook, beginning with the initial notice in November, followed by updates in December and January.

Mount Pearl to get another Timmies

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mount Pearl residents could soon see another spot to get their double-double fix, with a future drive-thru Tim Hortons on Kenmount Road getting a conditional green light from City council.
The secondary building will be adjacent to the gas station and convenience store already under development by Northbrook Construction, on behalf of Tim Horton’s, and located at 629-631 Kenmount Rd.
“That development is moving along quite handily,” said Mayor Dave Aker at the April 28 public meeting.
Council approved the proposed planned development of the secondary building for a drive-through use at that meeting and made a motion to enter into a development agreement with the property owner conditional upon the development meeting all requirements and conditions set forth by the City, Service NL, the St. John’s Regional Fire Department and other government agencies or stakeholders.
“Any approval would also be contingent upon meeting all relevant development standards and departmental conditions,” read the administrative report in the April 28 agenda.
The property shall not be subdivided and will remain as two buildings on one lot. The parcel may not be sold or subdivided without prior written approval from the City.
Public input was solicited in writing up to 12 noon on Monday, April 13, and no submissions were received by the City, and no interest was expressed in attending the briefing session, which was then cancelled.