NLIS 3
October 18, 2001
(Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs)

North Coast Labrador Transportation Committee presents
report to Government

The North Coast Transportation Committee, established to make recommendations regarding the future transportation needs in northern coastal Labrador, has presented its final report to the provincial government.

The seven-member committee � established in July of this year by Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ernest McLean, Works, Services and Transportation Minister Percy Barrett and Torngat Mountains MHA Wally Andersen � held five public consultation sessions on the north coast in September. In all, a total of 25 formal, informal and general submissions were made to the committee. The final report contains a total of 35 recommendations.

"The completion of the Trans-Labrador Highway from Red Bay to Cartwright in 2003 will undoubtedly have an impact on transportation services on Labrador's north coast," said Minister McLean. "As a government, we felt it was necessary to consult with the people on the north coast to ensure their concerns are taken into consideration before any major changes take place."

Similar consultations were held on the southeastern Labrador coast in April of last year. The Southeastern Labrador Transportation Committee presented its report to government this past spring.

Minister Barrett commended the North Coast Transportation Committee for its hard work in completing the report in a timely manner. 

"I appreciate the efforts of the committee in holding the public consultations and preparing the report, " Minister Barrett said. "I would like to thank everyone who made a presentation to the committee. We will look at this report, along with the report submitted by the Southeastern Labrador Transportation Committee, and determine the future transportation needs of Labrador. I have assured the committee that there will be a quick response to the report."

MHA Andersen praised the committee for its work, and pledged his determination to ensure the residents of the north coast receive quality transportation services in the future. "I will continue to stay in contact with officials from the Department of Works, Services and Transportation to make sure the recommendations contained in the report are considered before any changes are made to marine services in my district."

Committee chair Jim Lyall said he is looking forward to government's response to the recommendations contained in the report. "During the consultation process it was clear the people on the north coast want to have a say in the way their future transportation services are implemented and managed. I expect the government will seriously consider the recommendations before making any decisions with respect to transportation services on the north coast."

Media contact: Bert Pomeroy, Communications, (709) 896-8668 or (709) 896-1688.

2001 10 18                           12:25 p.m.