The following statement was issued today by Ernest McLean at a news conference held at Confederation Building: The government was informed by the RCMP on Friday that it had been called to Cartwright to deal with protesters who were interfering with the commercial activities of a private company seeking to develop a sports fishing lodge in the Eagle River. I will say up front that the government did not call the RCMP. That call was made by a private citizen. Consequently I will leave any comments about the police operation to the RCMP. My purpose is to bring you up to date on the government's views on the protest situation. I want to say that it is most unfortunate that the leaders of the protest have allowed this matter to progress to this stage. These kinds of activities can only harm our attempts to show the world that Labrador is a good place in which to do business. I would like to give you a little background on this issue. This issue came up as a result of a decision to call for proposals for the development of a quality sports fishing camp on the Eagle River in Labrador. This was made possible when DND closed its camp and made available a 300 salmon per season allocation. Government took the position that this salmon allocation should be used as a basis to establish a new commercial sports fishing lodge which would enhance its tourism infrastructure and draw tourism expenditures in Labrador. A thorough and legitimate process was followed; 56 information kits were distributed as a result of the proposal call, and three proposals were submitted. The two proposals not approved were from Portland Creek Outfitters Ltd. and the Investment Group (a Labrador Company). The KGY proposal was accepted based on higher levels of proposed investment, better quality, commitments to marketing and commitments to local economic benefits. KGY is now trying to develop the lodge. However, when the company tried to move materials to the site to begin construction, it was prevented from doing so because of the actions of protesters in Cartwright. At this point, KGY requested police assistance. This matter is now a law enforcement issue, and as such, it is in the hands of the police. It should be noted that, in light of local concerns, KGY offered to give up half of the approved salmon allocation to a local outfitter. However, this offer was not taken up. It should also be recognized that this issue is not only about whether a fish camp should, or should not be established on the Eagle River. It is about the actions of a group who are trying to establish an aboriginal land claim. The LMA has accepted more than $500,000 in federal funds since 1993 to support claim preparation through the federal system. However, they are at the initial stage. They only filed their claim in March 1996. Clearly they have not followed the process through to its conclusion. This situation appears to have begun as a protest about a fishing camp. However, if the issue for the protestors is, in fact, land claims, then there is a structured and legitimate process to be followed by groups who wish to make aboriginal claims. The Innu and Inuit are in the midst of that process. The LMA, however, are in the early stages. They have to let the process follow its course. Instead, however, they have abandoned the process in mid stream, and elected to use threats and intimidation to hijack the process. I am also concerned about the impact that actions such as those by the LMA, may have on economic development for Labrador. The government of this province, and the people of Labrador, are working very hard to try to bring economic development opportunities to Labrador. Actions such as those taken by the LMA can only harm Labrador's prospects in the global market place. At a time when we have high hopes for business and industrial development in Labrador from Voisey's Bay and other opportunities, we should be sending a message that we are open for business. Activities such as this protest send this wrong message about Labrador to investors and potential investors. I hope the protestors will now reconsider their actions, and
choose to go through the necessary processes to determine whether
they have the basis for a land claim.
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