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

As this House is aware, Government has since March of this year launched several major initiatives in response to what we heard during our public consultations on jobs and growth. The most recent initiatives included two new venture capital tax credit investment programs that the Honourable Minister of Finance and I announced.

Today I am very pleased to announce yet another initiative that will further advance the overall jobs and growth agenda.

One of the things that became clearly evident during our public consultations was the critical role that confidence and positive attitude can play in moving the economy forward. Presenters emphasized the role of attitude as a tool for economic development in its own right. They told us it is just as important as other tools such as access to business financing. Without a positive attitude, without a firm belief in ourselves and our own ability to succeed, we limit our chances to move forward. Presenters to the the Jobs and Growth Committee drove that point home quite forcefully.

In that context, presenters emphasized that government needs to be more active in promoting the multitude of economic opportunities available to us, and in showcasing the successes that have emerged in recent years, especially in rural areas. It was stressed that we should do more to build on such efforts as the "We�re doing it. Right here." and "Manufactured Right Here" campaigns.

The Department of Development and Rural Renewal is responding to that challenge. I am pleased to announce today that we are organizing a major event for the spring of 2001 to promote, celebrate and nourish the creativity, energy, opportunity and successes that exist throughout rural Newfoundland and Labrador. This event will be known as "Rural Forum 2001" and will take place in Gander. It will bring together the best of rural Newfoundland and Labrador business, culture and community, and will be an event for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to experience. Until now, there has been no single province wide showcase event to celebrate the achievements and promote the economic potential of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. This will change with "Rural Forum 2001".

This event will have four main components:

• First, a Conference Program will include a series of presentations, seminars and workshops led by experienced individuals who will focus on approaches and practices for community and business development that work best in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
  
  
• Second, a Rural Business Exhibition will showcase successful rural businesses and entrepreneurs from around the province and spanning all sectors of the economy. It will also profile the role various community economic development organizations can play in promoting economic opportunity and successful business enterprises.
  
  
• Third, a Youth Forum will engage the leaders of tomorrow in a round table discussion and debate with today�s business, community and provincial leaders on a youth perspective for economic and community development.
  
  
• And fourth, the first annual Community Economic Development Awards banquet will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and organizations who have excelled as leaders in community economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

While these are the four cornerstone events for "Rural Forum 2001", we are also considering others, including a Taste of Newfoundland and Labrador Internet Caf�. The Caf� would feature the products and capabilities of our growing agrifoods industry, as well as the technological abilities of the province�s rapidly expanding information technology industry.

The Department of Development and Rural Renewal will be engaging community, youth, business and other stakeholders over the next several months in the organizational planning for "Rural Forum 2001" and will provide more details on this exciting event early in the new year.

This initiative is yet one more tangible expression of government�s commitment to action on the jobs and growth agenda that continues to evolve from the consultation process we embarked on last year. I extend an open invitation to all Members of this House to participate in the Rural Forum next spring and I anticipate its success will generate interest in making it an annual event.

2000 12 07                 1:50 p.m.