The following statement was issued today by Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment and lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Earlier today I joined representatives of 20 community based organizations to announce funding for the final series of demonstration projects for this fiscal year under the province's Strategic Social Plan. The amount of funding for these 20 projects totals $687,000. Combined with projects already awarded during the summer, government has funded $1.2 million to community-based organizations.

Our government acknowledges the value of the contribution community based organizations make not only to social development in their communities but also to economic development. In fact, these organizations are one of the major partners in implementing the Strategic Social Plan. That is why in May of this year, I encouraged community organizations to adopt and support the SSP through the establishment of new partnerships with each other and government. To facilitate this approach our government made available a $1.2 million fund which community groups could access for projects that explore new and more effective ways of addressing social issues in their communities.

The response to this initiative was extremely high. We received 130 proposals from communities throughout the province. The overwhelming response speaks to their desire to participate in future social and economic development. In keeping with the goals and objectives set out by the SSP, projects approach social and economic issues from a preventive and early intervention perspective. Projects also focus on ways to invest in communities to make them strong and viable.

I have included a summary of the projects released today for my colleagues in the House to give them an idea of the wide scope of issues being examined and the types of initiatives we, as a government are very proud to support.

After today, 39 projects will be operating all over Newfoundland and Labrador from St. John's to Harbour Breton, Port aux Basques to Twillingate , Conception Bay North to North West River. My colleagues and I look forward to some exciting and informative outcomes from these initiatives when the projects are completed.

The implementation of the Strategic Social Plan is moving ahead. The steering committee in central region is making good progress. Comprised of representatives from the regional health, education and economic development boards, they are the catalysts for further engaging communities to participate as full partners in the plan. I was pleased to provide funding so the committee could hire a regional planner to support and facilitate the work of the steering committee. Their regional planner is from Campbellton, Newfoundland, has a masters degree in social work with an extensive background in community development and has returned home to Newfoundland from Ontario to work here. We expect to bring the plan to two more regions of the province this winter.

Another integral part of the plan is the social audit which is being designed by the very capable people with the Newfoundland Statistics Agency and a working group of the Premier's Council on Social Development. The social audit will provide evidence based information to be used by government and community boards in shaping future social policies and programs.

Our strong, prosperous future is based on healthy, educated, confident people. The Strategic Social Plan and the Strategy on Jobs and Growth will help to secure this future by engaging citizens at the community level to define their needs and work together to meet the challenges in our communities and our province.

1999 11 29                       2:25 p.m.