March 22, 1999
(Justice)

Provision of four new RCMP units for Coastal Labrador

Justice Minister Paul Dicks announced today that government is responding to the needs of the people who live on the North Coast of Labrador by providing four new RCMP officers to assist in patrolling the area.

"The new officers will help address the situation where the RCMP from insular Newfoundland unfamiliar with Labrador communities were temporarily assigned to Davis Inlet," Minister Dicks said today. "As well, the RCMP will now be in a position to more effectively patrol the communities of Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet."

Wally Andersen, MHA - Torngat Mountains, said he is pleased with the announcement. "When the officers are stationed in Labrador, they will be able to establish a more personal relationship with the members of the various communities and provide for better policing," Andersen said. "The Tongamiut Inuit Annait (The Inuit Women of the Torngats) have been lobbying government for the increased policing on the coast. I am happy to see that their efforts have met with success."

Both Dicks and Andersen are confident that the new officers assigned will have a positive effect on policing in the area and they are optimistic that the new officers will begin their duties shortly.

Media contact: David Wells, Communications, (709) 729-6830 or Wally Andersen, MHA, (709) 729-0990.

1999 03 22