The following statement was issued today by Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the Honourable members of the House of Assembly of the substantial initiatives my department has committed to in the area of silviculture for 1997. This year, Mr. Speaker, we will see a grand total of $12.4 million spent on silviculture-related work across this province. This represents an important investment made by the provincial government, the two pulp and paper companies, Abitibi-Price Consolidated Inc. and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd., and a combination of federal/provincial government investment through the Transitional Jobs Fund.

Mr. Speaker, as a result of this combined investment, over 15,000 hectares of forest land will be treated in 1997. This represents an increase of approximately 1,000 hectares over and above the 1996 silviculture program. In total for 1997, Mr. Speaker, we will see 8.5 million seedlings being planted.

Mr. Speaker, the province will be directly responsible for about 45 projects involving site preparation, planting and thinning to be conducted on Crown land, plus other projects related to research, and development. Mr. Speaker, industry will carry out approximately another 42 projects which will be undertaken on forest lands within the company limits. In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Transition Jobs Fund is entering Year Two of a three year program which will result in approximately another 50 projects. Mr. Speaker, this fund also has a segment to foster a value-added forest products program. Through this program approximately $640,000 will be applied to improve employment opportunities in the sawmilling and secondary manufacturing industry.

In total, Mr. Speaker, the efforts under these three particular initiatives will result in 14,759 person weeks of employment. However, this number does not include any silvicultural projects traditionally conducted through the Department of Social Services, now called the Department of Human Resources and Employment. As a department, we are creating the same number of person weeks of employment as in 1996. Mr. Speaker, this has been achieved by priorizing our projects in order to maximize employment opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, these silviculture projects are located throughout rural Newfoundland and Labrador and they will provide employment where it is most needed. This level of investment and activity, Mr. Speaker, is proof of this government's commitment to a sustainable forest for the future.

Mr. Speaker, this continuing dedication to long-term forest development programs will ensure the viability of the forest industry for the benefit of all the people of this province.