September 19, 1996
(Government Services and Lands)

Minister responsible for Labrador comments on Labrador 
Metis Association response to proposed Eagle River fishing camp

Ernie McLean, minister responsible for Labrador, said today the Labrador Metis Association threw away a golden opportunity to guarantee local participation in the proposed Eagle River fishing camp.

"This is proof that the Metis leadership are not interested in real solutions, real participation in development or real jobs for local people," said McLean. "They are only interested in self-promotion and I cannot stand by while they say otherwise. It is simply not true."

McLean today released an agreement that was reached between Todd Russell, President of the Metis Association, and Ms. Gudrid Hutchings of the KGY Group, the developers, on June 27, 1996. In the agreement, KGY committed themselves to employment of local construction workers and guides, on-the-job sportfishery related training, and educational scholarships for local applicants. KGY also expressed a commitment to work with the Labrador Metis Association to develop other commercial sportfishery operations that would employ local people. After reaching the agreement, the LMA leadership walked away from the deal claiming it was not enough.

"Even before this, KGY offered to give half of their salmon allocation to the local group that had lost the initial proposal call," added McLean. "Both camps would have proceeded, and Cabinet gave its approval to this. But this, too, was not enough for the LMA leadership."

The LMA leadership are not interested in reaching a deal, they are not interested in jobs. From day one the government and the local developers have bent over backwards to reach an agreement with them. They cannot be satisfied. The truth must be told."

Contact: Ernie McLean, Minister responsible for Labrador, 729-4753.