November 19, 1996
(Works, Services and Transportation)

The following statement was issued today by Julie Bettney, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to have this opportunity to update Honourable Members of the House on the government's work to date on the development of an all-weather transportation system in Labrador. The Minister of Government Services and Lands, Ernie McLean, and I, along with local Labrador government mmbers, met with community councils, business associations, other interest groups and the general public in Labrador City, Goose Bay, Port Hope Simpson, Mary's Harbour and L'Anse au Clair last week to speak about the Labrador Transportation Initiative. I am pleased to tell you that the people of Labrador are very excited about development in this area and are confident that the project will move ahead.

We have listened to the people of Labrador and are now putting their ideas into action. The people have clearly expressed a need for an all-weather Trans Labrador Highway which would encompass upgrading the route from Labrador West to Goose Bay, include a highway linking coastal communities with the highway at Red Bay, and connect Cartwright to Goose Bay. We are working towards a vision for this highway which integrates Labrador into the main links to the rest of Canada.

This government recognizes that the current highway infrastructure in Labrador is inadequate and in many cases non-existent. Accordingly, we have begun negotiations with the federal government with a view towards developing a partnership on this issue. In order to facilitate this highway development, the province would agree to accept operational responsibility for the Labrador marine services and the associated wharves and facilities now operated by the federal government. In return, the federal government would provide sufficient funding to allow the construction of the highway project.

Our proposal for an all-weather highway is divided into three stages of development. First, we propose to upgrade the road from Churchill Falls to Happy Valley-Goose Bay to a high standard gravel surface highway and commence construction from Red Bay to Cartwright. Second, we will link coastal communities with the highway at Red Bay. This will mean completing the construction between Red Bay and Cartwright with community access roads. The coastal marine service from Red Bay to Cartwright would then be ended. The third and final phase will involve connecting Cartwright to Goose Bay. The Blanc Sablon-St. Barbe ferry service will continue and the marine service on the North Labrador Coast would be provided by one passenger/freighter.

The benefits of a construction project of this nature are significant for our province and, in particular, for the Labrador Region. Besides providing a major economic development stimulus for the area, the transportation initiative would eliminate the isolation of many Labrador communities and create many job opportunities in the area.

During our presentations in Labrador last week, the residents spoke optimistically about the potential for growth in the forestry, mining and tourism sectors. Residents of the South Coast were particularly excited about their opportunities for development which are currently limited by the lack of road connections. In addition, the people were quick to point out that other major developments throughout history have followed the successful completion of transportation infrastructures throughout the world, citing the many developments which followed the completion of the railway in Western Canada as an example. We too have taken this into consideration. Government believes that infrastructure of this kind is key to economic growth in the region. Furthermore, I can assure you that we will pay every attention to maximizing employment opportunities for Labradorians and Newfoundlanders in this initiative.

While we have visited five communities in Labrador to discuss the Transportation Initiative, this is only the beginning of our consultation process. Residents can expect to participate in discussions about the planning of the highway route, economic opportunities from construction and the rationalization of existing services. I also plan to visit additional communities in Labrador, including Churchill Falls, Cartwright and Charlottetown to provide the people with first-hand information on this mega project.

Government is continuing to work diligently with the federal government and hopes to reach an agreement by late December. If an agreement is signed, construction could begin as early as the spring of 1997 and continue for 10 years until a completed system of paved roads is in place.