May 29, 1998
(Development and Rural Renewal)

The following statement was issued today by Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Regional Economic Development Boards

I would like to provide Members of this House with a status report on the province's new approach to regional economic development. Members will be aware that a centrepiece of this government's approach to regional economic development is to engage all relevant stakeholders to participate in identifying, prioritizing and actioning business and economic development opportunities in all areas of the province. This is now happening, on a regional basis, through the Regional Economic Development Boards established in the 20 economic zones throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

I am pleased to report that 18 of the 20 boards have completed their strategic economic plans. In developing these plans, the REDBs consulted with and drew upon the knowledge and expertise of key economic stakeholders and the public at large in their respective areas.

Now the REDBs are working with partners in their zones to implement the economic development activities outlined in their strategic economic plans. The REDBs are the coordinators and, where necessary, catalysts for these regional economic development activities. For example:

- The Southwestern Marine and Mountain Zone Corporation has signed an agreement with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited which establishes an environmentally and economically feasible forestry management system for sustainable harvesting in zone 10 on the West Coast.

- The recent announcement concerning the snowmobile tourism product development initiative along the West Coast and in Central Newfoundland had its genesis in the activities of the Snowmobile Federation and a number of REDBs in Western and Central Newfoundland, whose support for this initiative was crucial to its success.

- The first Memorandum of Understanding between a REDB and a provincial government line department has been signed between the Labrador Straits Development Coporation and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. This agreement outlines a partnership approach to the development of a diversified, sustainable fishery in the Straits.

One of my responsibilities is to chair the Cabinet Committee on Rural Revitalization. Over the past six months, the committee has travelled the province to meet with 17 of the Regional Economic Development Boards. Each Board has presented their economic plans to the Cabinet Committee, and we are encouraged and excited by the very real development opportunities that are emerging. For our part, we have requested each Board to draw from their strategic economic plans the five or six top priority development initiatives for early implementation. All 17 of the REDBs visited have submitted initiatives, with a number of them already underway. The Cabinet Committee is committed to fast-tracking the advancement of all the identified opportunities wherever possible.

All Members of this House are aware that there are no magical solutions or quick fixes to the economic challenges facing our rural communities. Rebuilding and diversifying the provincial economy is an ongoing and long-term goal. For most of our history, we have not acted collectively. Most communities and many of the key stakeholders have acted independently, or in isolation of one another, to advance narrow economic interests.

The newly established Regional Economic Development Boards provide a new mechanism for taking a broader regional and collective approach to economic growth opportunities and strategies throughout the Province. The strategic economic plans will provide all partners with a basis for coordinated and focused supports. The common denominator in all plans is that they are designed to pave the way for private sector led economic growth, through business formation, expansion and diversification.

I encourage all Members on both sides of this House to meet with and continue to work with the Regional Economic Development Boards in your area as they move from the planning to the action phase of their mandates. This government is taking the work of these Boards very seriously, as is the Government of Canada. We are committed to working with the Boards to seize all opportunities for economic growth in the province.

1998 05 29                     11:00 a.m.