NLIS 3
October 26, 2001
(Executive Council)

 

Federal government moves forward with province's request 
for provincial name change

Premier Roger Grimes, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Tom Lush and Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ernie McLean are pleased the Government of Canada has introduced a resolution in the House of Commons today to change the province's official name from the Province of Newfoundland to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The resolution was brought forward by Brian Tobin, MP for Bonavista-Trinity Conception and Minister of Industry Canada, at the request of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Labrador is an important and vital part of this province," said Premier Grimes. "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is firmly committed to ensuring official recognition of Labrador as an equal partner in this province, and a constitutional name change of our province will reiterate that commitment."

On April 29, 1999, government passed a similar resolution in the House of Assembly calling for a constitutional amendment of the Terms of Union to include Labrador in the official name of the province. The province has made consistent representation to the federal government since that time to give constitutional effect to the resolution.

"Since becoming Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, I have met with and made representation to Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien, Industry Minister Brian Tobin and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister St�phane Dion on this issue," said Minister Lush. "I am extremely pleased that Minister Tobin has brought the resolution forward in the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament for the province and on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ernie McLean said that introduction of a resolution which would change the name of the province is a symbolic gesture to the people of Labrador. "Including Labrador in the official name of the province is a reflection of the concrete action this government has taken to ensure the objectives and aspirations of the people of Labrador are met," said the minister. "Once passed, this constitutional amendment will finally clear up the long-standing inconsistency between the name of the government and the name of the province."

Media contact:
Carl Cooper, Communications, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960.
Tansy Mundon, Communications, Intergovernmental Affairs, (709) 729-1341 or (709) 682-0366.
Bert Pomeroy, Communications, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, (709) 896-8668 or (709) 896-1688.

2001 10 26                          12:00 p.m. 


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