The following statement was issued today by Judy Foote, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Regional Economic Development Board Update

I rise today to inform Honourable Members of this House of progr ess being made in advancing government's regional economic development agenda in this province.

The Department of Development and Rural Renewal was established in March of this year to lead our government's efforts to support economic growth and job creation throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly in rural areas. A central component of this mandate involves working with the regional economic development boards in each of the province's 20 economic zones.

Within 90 days of my appointment, all regional economic development boards, with one exception, were up and running. The one exception was the zone on the Southern Avalon, where community groups and interests argued that the economies of the two sides of the zone were sufficiently different to require the division of the zone. After extensive consultations with all parties, I concurred with this view and agreed to the creation of zones 18 and 20.

The establishment and operation of regional economic development boards has involved a tremendous contribution of volunteer commitment and effort. I have travelled to each zone upon the establishment of the permanent boards to thank the hundreds of volunteers involved in this process. I would also like to thank my Honourable Colleagues on both sides of this House, as well as the federal members of parliament who have participated in these events, for their involvement and support.

It is important to emphasize, however, that these are not government's boards. They have been democratically elected, based upon structures determined within each zone. For the first time in Newfoundland and Labrador, business and labour, municipalities, community development organizations, education and training institutions, and other stakeholders in regional economic development, are coming together to achieve a clear consensus on their priorities and opportunities for long-term economic growth and job creation. The strategic economic plans the boards are now developing for their individual zones will provide government, for the first time, with a clear reference point to determine the vision, goals and objectives of every region of our province.

This past Saturday, December 7, I had the pleasure of attending the first collective meeting of regional economic development boards and I was impressed by the commitment and quality of the individuals leading this process. Board chairs and their executive directors met in Corner Brook to review progress to date and to share views on moving into the implementation phase of their strategic economic plans. They expressed the view that just as the communities within each zone must learn to work together as one, so too must the 20 zones work together for the economic well-being of our entire province.

While the planning process is underway, it must be emphasized, regional economic development activity is proceeding.

Since the establishment of my department in March, 31 projects, totalling $6.6 million have been approved through the Strategic Regional Diversification Agreement, which we administer jointly with ACOA. These initiatives, such as the long-term initiative on the Great Northern Peninsula to develop Arctic Char aquaculture, are establishing the strategic infrastructure necessary for private sector development and long-term job creation.

We have embarked on a new way of doing business in regional economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador. I encourage all Honourable members to continue to meet with the boards in their districts and contribute to this federal-provincial-community partnership. Government is committed to making this approach work and is confident the results will lead directly to new job creation, economic diversification and vibrant sustainable communities in all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador.