November 2, 1998
(Development and Rural Renewal)

Cabinet Committee on Rural Revitalization to meet with all Regional Economic Development Boards

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Rural Revitalization, will meet with each Regional Economic Development Board on an individual basis commencing next week to reaffirm government's support for the Regional Economic Development Boards and to discuss means of advancing the strategic economic plans of each board more aggressively.

Minister Tulk indicated that "much has been accomplished since the boards were formed approximately two years ago and government is satisfied that solid progress is being made in moving the economic agenda forward in the 20 economic zones of the province."

Eighteen of the 20 Regional Economic Development Boards have completed strategic economic plans for their zones, based on consultations with key stakeholders in their areas, and are now focused on implementing those plans to diversify and strengthen their economies and create new job opportunities and growth in their regions.

Minister Tulk noted that "this approach differs significantly from previous economic development efforts of government in that communities themselves are being empowered to identify the most effective ways of developing their economies rather than government imposing its own view and telling people what has to be done."

The Regional Economic Development Boards have identified specific initiatives that offer the greatest opportunity to improve the economy of their zones and government has committed to work with each Board to ensure that the available resources of both orders of government are harnessed to advance these initiatives in the most expedient manner feasible. "The Cabinet Committee on Rural Revitalization will be reviewing overall progress made to date by each board and will discuss means of advancing those economic initiatives identified as priorities as much as we possibly can," added the minister.

Minister Tulk also referenced the substantive investments made by government over the past two years in support of the REDB strategic economic plans generally. "Approximately $30 million has been committed under the Canada-Newfoundland Strategic Regional Diversification Agreement alone in the past two years in support of community economic development initiatives, most of which have been implemented by groups at the local level such as regional development associations," said Minister Tulk. Recent media reports have suggested that government has not been active in advancing community economic development while the REDBs were being set up, and that government has focused exclusively on REDBs at the expense of other community economic development organizations. "The reality is quite different, as any objective observer can see from a review of the facts," added the minister.

Minister Tulk pointed to significant improvements in overall provincial economic and employment indicators over the past year as positive signs that the process is working and that tangible results are being generated. At the same time, he stressed that much hard work lies ahead in rebuilding the economy, especially in rural areas. "It would be unfair and unrealistic to expect that the Regional Economic Development Boards and governments, in the short-term, can solve all the economic and employment problems confronting us, particularly in the face of the structural upheaval caused by the collapse of our groundfish industry," Minister Tulk said. "It is important to emphasize, however, that substantial progress has been achieved over a relatively short period and we must never lose faith in our collective ability to meet the challenges head-on, to stem the tide of out migration, especially of our youth, and to create a better economic future for ourselves and our children in all parts of this province. The Regional Economic Development Boards are playing a critically important role in meeting this challenge."

Minister Tulk acknowledged, in particular, the dedication and energy that the volunteers who comprise each of the 20 Regional Economic Development Boards have brought to the process thus far, and encouraged them to maintain the positive momentum generated to date. Minister Tulk noted that "It is all too easy to be critical of new approaches and to call for a return to old ways when confronted with difficult circumstances and extraordinary challenges. This is not the answer in today's world. We must forge ahead in a positive and progressive manner - one step at a time - and do so by working together at the community level to rebuild the economy throughout the province."

Media contact: Scott Reid, (709) 729-4570

1998 11 02                       2:40 p.m.