The following statement was issued today by Ernie Mclean, Minister responsible for Labrador. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

The decision on Friday by Voisey's Bay Nickel Company to locate their smelter-refinery complex in Argentia came as a disappointment to many Labrador communities. As Members of this House are aware, this is a sensitive issue for many of the people who live and work in Labrador. They believe that communities nearest to the resource should benefit the greatest from the development of that resource.

The government agrees. Labrador, in the past, has not shared fully in the economic opportunities of the province. This will change. While the smelter and refinery will be built on the island, the government is committed to ensuring that, to the greatest extent possible, the economic benefits, the social benefits, and the infrastructure benefits of the Voisey's Bay development will accrue to the people of Labrador.

The first step has been taken by Voisey's Bay Nickel Company by announcing that their procurement office and operational headquarters will be located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. We are pleased by this decision, because it demonstrates a solid commitment to Labrador on the part of the company.

Secondly, the government is committed to making sure that people from Labrador have a real chance at capturing the jobs at the mine/mill operation. I am pleased to announce that the Provincial College will begin work immediately on the development of a comprehensive training program in mining technology, including a pre-college program, to be administered by the Provincial College campuses. The college intends to have this program in place and ready for the 1997-98 academic year. That means that the first graduates of this program will be ready for the start of operations at the mine site in 1999. This program will be developed in conjunction with the company and with Human Resources Development Canada, to ensure that the curriculum meets the exact specifications the company will demand of prospective employees. As a model, we will look to Cambrian College in Sudbury, whose mining program was developed in close consultation with INCO and, as a result, 100 per cent of their graduates were hired by the company.

The college, in conjunction with Voisey's Bay Nickel company and other partners in Labrador, has been identifying training needs to ensure maximum job opportunities for the Labrador people. The college will continue these efforts and introduce the required training on an "as-needed" basis as the Voisey's Bay development evolves.

When I ran for politics, I made a strong commitment to the people of Lake Melville and the people of Labrador. When the Premier asked me to be the minister responsible for Labrador, I recognized the weight of that responsibility. I accepted this position because I knew the Premier and this government are fully committed to addressing the legitimate concerns of Labrador.

We have an agenda for Labrador. The time has come for Labradorians to share fully in the economic benefits of the province. I'd like to inform all Members of this House that, along with my colleagues, Perry Canning and Wally Anderson, I intend to work tirelessly for the people of Labrador. We intend to deliver.