NLIS 8
September 19, 2001
(Industry, Trade and Rural Development)

 


Minister appalled that Opposition leader wants to refuse 
federal investment that would benefit province

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development, says he is "appalled and amazed" that the leader of the official Opposition wants to turn down federal funding that would help advance the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

"It's incredible that the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition would actually refuse federal investment that is so critical to the continued economic development of the province. Mr. Williams, instead of being critical of federal spending here, should be encouraged that the federal government is considering an increased role in meeting the province's research and development needs," Mr. Tulk said.

"Mr. Williams should be ashamed to even suggest that companies based in this province should not have access to established Industry Canada programs that provide funding for research and development, and that otherwise would not be available to us," he said. "This province has huge research and development needs, a point repeatedly and emphatically raised during our Jobs and Growth consultations. If we do not access federal funding programs, the benefits of these programs will flow to other provinces of Canada."

Mr. Tulk made the comments in response to those made by Mr. Williams to the effect that the federal government should not provide research and development funding to Inco because the health care system should have more funding.

Mr. Tulk pointed out that health care funding comes from a different source, namely from the Canadian Health and Social Transfer program. "It is obvious that Mr. Williams has a lack of understanding of how federal funding works," he said.

"Emerging new economic opportunities in the province must be supported by enhanced public and private sector research and development capabilities. Government made that quite clear in its Jobs and Growth Renewal Strategy, based on strong representation from the business community and the public at large," he said. 

"I have two messages for Mr. Williams:

First, the federal government wisely invested in research and development activities related to 
Newfoundland's offshore oil resources. As a result, we today have a thriving industry poised to be
Canada's third largest producer of light crude oil in about five years. Mr. Williams, are you suggesting that the economic wealth and employment growth this industry is creating are not worth the  funding that got it kickstarted?

Second, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador � perhaps more so than the government of 
any other province � has been emphasizing the need for more federal funding for health care. But, Mr. Williams, the position you have posed is not about health care. It is not about Inco and Voisey's Bay.  Your position is opposition to federal research and development investment in companies interested in doing business in this province � a position so incredibly opposed to Newfoundland's best interests, it is appalling that you have taken such a stand against moving our province forward."

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-4570.

2001 09 19                                         3:15 p.m. 


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