NLIS 2
May 17, 2000
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Minister meets stakeholders Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Infrastructure Program

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, recently met with stakeholders to discuss next steps in furthering the $23 million Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative for the five communities of Nain, Hopedale, Rigolet, Makkovik and Postville. The minister said that government is partnering with the communities in the development and delivery of this initiative.

The minister said that the group had already met via tele-conference but the first face to face meeting took place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, on May 12, and was necessary to better communicate with all the community representatives.

"We had a very productive meeting last week and we were able to agree on many issues which will allow us to move forward, with the intention of doing as much as possible during this construction season," said Minister Joan Marie Aylward. "I am confident this group will continue working in partnership to the benefit of the residents of these five communities."

Funding for this initiative will be targeted to improving fundamental infrastructure within the communities: housing, roads, and water and sewer servicing. "This initiative is needed right now as these five communities have some of the greatest needs in the province,"said Wally Anderson, MHA, Torngat Mountains. "This much needed infrastructure investment will service existing needs as well as accommodate future growth."

"This initiative is in keeping with our provincial Strategic Social Plan and will complement the efforts of the Premier�s Coastal Labrador Task Force," said Ernie McLean, Minister Responsible for Labrador. "I am happy our government was able to make this commitment to the people of northern coastal Labrador and that we were able to move as quickly to get things started."

Minister Aylward noted that the housing component of the initiative will provide for the construction of new homes and provide for major repairs on many existing homes. Funding for this strategic initiative will supplement existing housing program delivery by Torngat Regional Housing Association and the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. Over the next two years, an extra $7.7 million will be spent on housing.

The minister also noted that the roads in these communities will be upgraded through investment from the Department of Works, Services and Transportation. Funding in the amount of $6 million will be allocated over the next three years through the federal/provincial cost shared Labrador Transportation Initiative.

The third 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 Canada/Newfoundland Labrador Inuit Communities Agreement.

Everyone left the meeting with a commitment to move the project forward as quickly as possible while maintaining quality and ongoing cooperative partnerships.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Director of Communications, (709) 729-1983.

2000 05 17                                                     11:40 a.m.