The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to clean harbours for our province.

The province and the municipalities of St. John�s, Mount Pearl and Paradise have worked together and committed to the principle of cost-sharing on the project to clean up St. John�s harbour. However because of the size of the project we need a third funding partner, the federal government.

In November, 2000, a joint letter was sent to the federal Industry, Environment, and Infrastructure Ministers to seek their support to bring the federal government on side as a one third funding partner in this venture.

For the past several years, our government has been very supportive of the efforts of the Joint Mayors Committee and the St. John�s Harbour ACAP Inc. We have maintained an open and supportive dialogue with both groups, and have partnered wherever possible to advance this important project. Since 1997, $10 million has been spent toward the first phase of the St. John�s Harbour clean-up. The Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs has provided $4.5 million in this initial phase.

We are now demanding that the federal government put up their 1/3 cost of this project. It is unconscionable that the federal government has not addressed this problem. They have the resources and they know full well that we cannot take money from the Canada-Newfoundland Infrastructure program to clean up St. John�s Harbour. If we did do that, it would take every cent from the program for the next four years. We cannot and will not do that. We need a program in addition to the CNIP to address this urgent need.

The federal government has not executed their responsibility up until now. We are asking them to address this problem immediately.

The problem is larger than just St. John�s. There are other municipalities in this province that have unhealthy harbours, such as the city of Corner Brook, and they will require equal consideration. It is therefore very important that municipalities join together to encourage the federal government to establish a national program for clean harbours.

I have been advised that our premier has discussed this issue with Premier Lord of New Brunswick, as they are in a similar situation with the harbour in Saint John. We will support municipalities from this province in a concerted effort with municipalities throughout the country to demand the federal government to establish a national program for the clean up of harbours.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to the goal of clean harbours for the municipalities of this province.

2001 05 08                                                           3:10 p.m.