The new Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development will bring together government�s core economic and business development functions to create the right environment for investment and employment growth within the province. It will have the mandate to address business needs in all economic zones of the province, giving particular attention to rural areas. At the same time, it will be the focal point for attracting business investment through international promotion of the province as a strategic location for doing business, and by fostering export development. The new department will undertake a targeted approach to development of key sectors of the economy.

The new department will bring together the business development and regional strengths of the former department of Development and Rural Renewal and the economic development and investment prospecting expertise of the former Department of Industry, Trade and Technology.

Consistent with the strategic directions of Government, this department will focus specifically on developing the potential of the province�s youth providing an avenue for their concerns to be heard within government.

It will also strengthen the focus on developing the potential of the province�s youth to access opportunities associated with the new economy and to improve their capacity to participate in and gain from economic development. The department will also focus on the province�s post-secondary education system, to improve access and affordability, and to enhance the academic and technological excellence of graduates and course offerings, as an essential component for achieving social and economic progress. In addition, it will work towards enabling the post-secondary institutions to assume a position of leadership nationally and internationally in teaching, research and development to support economic development and build recognition for areas of specialized knowledge and expertise.

The Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education will also, among other things:

• provide a mechanism for input into the social and economic needs of our youth;
• have responsibility for career development to improve chances for successful labour market attachment;
• administer student loans and financial assistance;
• focus on marketing the province�s post-secondary educational services and products nationally and internationally;
• administer apprenticeship training and provide for the development and monitoring of industrial training program;
• and provide for the operations of the public library services throughout the province.

The Department of Education will continue to have responsibility for the Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system as well as for Literacy.

The creation of the new department reflects a strengthened commitment by the Government in dealing with the issues of concern to Labradorians and Aboriginal peoples.

A priority of the new department will be to ensure that the people who live in Labrador share in the development of the area�s resources. The new department will administer government programming in Labrador and promote, advance and assess development opportunities, funding agreements and social issues affecting Labrador. It will also provide leadership in advancing major economic development opportunities in Labrador such as the Voisey�s Bay and Lower Churchill projects, among others, and be responsible for promoting and presenting the interests of Labrador including the issue of affordable electricity rates for coastal Labrador. It will also be responsible for negotiating and implementing comprehensive land claims and self government agreements with the LIA and Innu Nation. The department will also act as the coordinating agency for government in dealing with all matters of concern to Aboriginal peoples.

The head office of the new department will be located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. As a priority, the department will be directed to examine the management and implementation of government services in Labrador, and to bring forward to the Premier as quickly as possible a plan regarding which other government programs and operations of relevance to Labrador should be brought under its management and control.

Environmental issues are of increasingly greater importance as we move forward in the 21^st century. The Department of Environment will move environmental issues into clearer focus as a priority of Government. Restoring this portfolio as the department�s primary function will allow it to concentrate more fully on environmental stewardship and regulation. The department will be charged with the responsibility of balancing environmental concerns with the province�s development needs.

One of the department�s key priorities will be to bring about improvements in the province�s water systems. This will be done in conjunction with the departments of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and Health and Community Services. Other priorities will include the development of comprehensive plans for solid waste management and solid waste incinerating to address the problems of the province�s outdated teepee incinerators.

Department of Labour

With the creation of this new department, Government intends to renew its relationship with labour, business and community groups with a view to improving partnerships and evolving new approaches to labour-management relations in the province. Government is taking another significant step toward enhancing social and economic development in the province.

Safe, healthy workplaces, wherein the rights and interests of workers are protected and suitable benefits derived, will continue to be a goal of Government. Supporting the business community in its efforts to achieve a growth on investment, within the context of a stable labour environment and access to a reliable and well trained workforce will also form part of Government�s overall strategic directions for the province.