Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative

Premier Brian Tobin, Ernest McLean, Minister Responsible for Labrador, and Torngat Mountains MHA Wally Andersen today announced that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will provide $23 million over the next three years for a Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative for the five northern coastal Labrador communities of Nain, Hopedale, Rigolet, Makkovik and Postville.

The premier said that this funding will be used to improve fundamental infrastructure within the communities, including $7.7 million for housing, $6 million for roads, and $9 million for water and sewer servicing. "These five communities have some of the greatest needs in the province," said Premier Tobin. "This initiative is in keeping with our provincial Strategic Social Plan and will complement the efforts of the Coastal Labrador Task Force."

"This much needed infrastructure investment will service existing needs as well as accommodate future growth," said Minister McLean.

"The announcement today means a great deal to the people of the north coast of Labrador," said Andersen. "These initiatives will improve infrastructure services in the communities and help improve the quality of life for the people who live there."

"The housing component of the initiative will provide for the construction of new homes and provide for major repairs on many existing homes," said Premier Tobin. Funding for this strategic initiative will complement existing housing program delivery by Torngat Regional Housing Association and the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. Over the next three years $7.7 million will be spent on housing.

The premier also noted that the roads in these communities will be upgraded through investment from the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and the Department of Works, Services and Transportation. Funding in the amount of $6 million will be allocated over the next two years.

Another component of the initiative will provide full water and sewer servicing to existing homes and will also provide servicing to allow for new housing developments and the growth and expansion of the five communities. This component of the initiative will cost $9 million over three years and will be funded through the cost-shared federal/provincial Inuit Communities Agreement.

"The province will also spend $280,000 to build community wharves in Hopedale and Postville," said Premier Tobin.

In addition to these infrastructure initiatives, government is working with the RCMP to enhance the police presence for Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet.

Under the proposal, detachments would be established in Rigolet and Makkovik, each staffed by one RCMP regular member and two special constables. The community of Postville would be policed from Makkovik. As well, an RCMP detachment would be established in Cartwright.

Premier Tobin said that government will be partnering with the Labrador Inuit Association, the communities and other agencies in the development and delivery of these initiatives.

"The province will continue to work with the Aboriginal leaders to support long-term solutions, however, this is a process which must be directed from within the communities. Government will not impose solutions," said Premier Tobin.

"Government is committed to negotiating a final agreement on land claims and self-government with the Labrador Inuit Association," said the premier. "Land claim and self-government agreements provide Aboriginal peoples with the tools necessary to control their own destiny."

In addition to the northern coastal Labrador program, the province has committed funding in support of projects throughout Labrador.

Premier Tobin noted that $56 million from the Labrador Transportation Initiative will be spent in 2000 on phase two of the Trans-Labrador Highway for the construction of a highway from Red Bay to Cartwright. An additional $1.5 million has been allocated for the construction of two highway depots at the halfway points between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Churchill Falls and Churchill Falls and Labrador City.

Minister McLean added that the Department of Government Services and Lands will establish a new highway enforcement officer position in Labrador. "The new Trans-Labrador Highway and other highway improvement activities in Labrador have resulted in the need for increased enforcement to improve public safety and protect the TLH," said the minister.

Government will also invest in health care in Labrador, said the premier. Another $5.1 million will be spent this year to complete the $30 million, 28-bed Melville Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The hospital is expected to be open in this summer.

The province is also committed to funding of $500,000 for the 2003 Labrador Winter Games. Premier Tobin said ensuring the funding is available now will allow organizers to benefit from any interest which may accrue in the interim.

"The Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative is a crucial first step in responding to the very specific needs of those communities," said Premier Tobin. "The northern coastal Labrador

initiative, and the other initiatives I have outlined today, reaffirm government�s commitment to improving infrastructure and other programs for the entire Labrador region."

Minister McLean applauded the announcements. "Government recognizes that if Labrador is to realize its full economic and social potential, certain infrastructure needs must be met. Our commitments today, both for northern coastal Labrador and for the region as a whole, go a long way toward addressing those requirements."

Media contact: Heidi Bonnell, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3564.

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