NLIS 4
February 14, 2003
(Executive Council)
Moving forward with a vision
for continued success
"February 13 marked my second
anniversary as Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. I consider these past
two years serving the people of the province, in this role, a privilege.
These have been years of accomplishment and growth," said Premier Roger
Grimes.
"Leadership lies in the ability to
establish goals, to set an agenda and to deliver on commitments," said
the Premier. "These commitments center on economic development,
investment in education and assurance of accessible, quality health care and
social services for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. These
commitments were kept.
"Real change is happening in this
province. People are working. Companies are investing. The government that I
lead is very proud to have played a significant role in creating a climate
of investment that is showing a positive impact. We are proud of our small
business initiatives that support new business in all parts of this
province. We are proud of the programs and policies that are shaping our
education system, a system that is current and relevant and challenges our
students to achieve and excel.
"The main thrust of the past two years,
which I will carry into the future, has been investing in this province by
investing in people. Never before has it been more evident that education is
the key to our future. Investing in people by providing educational
opportunities from pre-school to post-secondary is paying dividends for
individuals, communities and the province as a whole.
"Our economy is growing. It has become
much more diversified. Employment is increasing. Unemployment is falling.
Social assistance caseloads continue a downward trend. Out-migration is
slowing. The trend line for all economic indicators is moving in the right
direction.
"In the next several weeks we will
present our vision as to what the government believes and has learned from
the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, what is of importance to us, what
is expected of us to move ahead, to grow, to prosper. We will lay our vision
for the next year, for the immediate future of two to three years and
beyond. You must have that horizon, at least, so you can determine the
direction this province should go in for several years from now.
"Commitments were made to the people of
this province. These commitments were kept. We are building on two years of
strong growth in particular strong growth in 2002. There is no reason why
strong growth, as all the indicators show, should not continue in the same
positive direction. Our role as government is to continue to facilitate
that, to advocate that, to work with everyone who is committed to these good
things that are happening in Newfoundland and Labrador."
Media contact: Carl Cooper, Office of the
Premier, (709) 729-3960
Moving forward with a vision for continued
success
"February 13 marked my second
anniversary as Premier of this province. Recognizing an anniversary or
milestone gives one pause to reflect on what has transpired during that
time. It is also an opportunity for the government to provide an
accounting to the people of our record of achievement over the past 24
months. I look back since I became leader of the government team and see
the accomplishments and record of achievement.
"Commitments were made to the people
of this province. Those commitments were kept. The commitments focused on
economic development, investment in an education system that challenges
our students to achieve and excel, and assurance of accessible, quality
health care and social services for the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador.
"The main thrust of the past two
years, which I will carry into the future, has been investing in this
province, by investing in our people. Never before has it been more
evident that education is the key to our future. Investing in people by
providing educational opportunities from pre-school to post-secondary is
paying dividends for individuals, communities and the province as a whole.
Health care remains the priority with this government and investment to
ensure a healthy and active population will continue.
"Our economy is growing. It has become
much more diversified. Employment is increasing. Unemployment is falling.
Social assistance caseloads continue a downward trend. Out-migration is
slowing. The trend line for all economic indicators is moving in the right
direction.
"We are building on two years of
strong growth with particularly strong growth in 2002. We are maximizing
the benefits for the people of the province that result from responsible
management and development of our natural resources. There is no reason
why strong growth, as all the indicators show, should not continue in the
same positive direction. Our role as government is to continue to
facilitate that, to encourage that, to work with everyone who is committed
to moving forward with a vision for continued success."
A meaningful openness and accountability
agenda
"I want to bring to the mainstream of
life in Newfoundland and Labrador an accountable and open government. If
people want information from the government they elected they will get it.
To that end this government moved swiftly to foster that ideal."
Petroleum Pricing Commissioner
appointed in 2001
Televising of the House of Assembly
inaugurated in November 2001
The Citizens� Representative, Fraser
March, was appointed in December 2001
The new Access to Information Act
becomes law this year
The Child and Youth Advocate, Lloyd Wicks,
was appointed in December 2002
Strategic Social Plan Social Audit - on
track for release this year
Education
"We
must believe that investments in education provide the absolute,
fundamental building blocks to enable individuals to succeed. Never before
has that been more evident in this province than in the last two years.
Societies that invest in education grow and prosper, their people grow and
prosper, their communities grow and prosper, their countries grow and
prosper. We increased our contribution to pre-schools and daycares. We
focused on our K-12 system, promoting a culture of literacy that is seeing
phenomenal results from our students. Millions of dollars to these
initiatives are paying off. Under my direction government has made the
greatest investment in education in Newfoundland and Labrador since
Confederation."
- Despite the decline of 5,889 students a
decision was taken to retain 426 teaching positions, resulting in an
additional investment of $24 Million
- New school construction and/or
extension/renovation projects approved since February 2001 total
$50,280,960
- This year (2002-03) the Labrador School
Board has experienced the best teacher recruiting results in 10 years
"More than 80 percent of this province�s
high school graduates go on to some form of post-secondary education. I
committed that post-secondary education be both accessible and affordable
for all individuals wishing to pursue that education."
- Tuition was reduced 20% at Memorial
University in the past two years. Another 5% reduction will happen this
September.
- We have the lowest tuition in Atlantic
Canada and the second lowest in the country.
- Tuition at the College of the North
Atlantic has been frozen for four consecutive years
- Recent changes to provincial student loans
include debt reduction grants, enhanced interest relief, increased loans
for MUN medical students, grants for early childhood education students.
Healthy and Active People
"Maintaining a healthy population
remains the number one priority of my government with an assurance of
accessible, quality health care. I believe in a collaborative approach to
reaching the goals set forth in our mandate with community partners, such
as our health boards and the health care professionals who serve the
public and the many community volunteers. We will continue our investment
in early childhood development, beginning with healthy baby initiatives.
That investment leads to secure and sound beginnings."
- Government spends 45 cents of every
program dollar on health care with an overall health budget of $1.5
Billion, a 46% increase in the last several years
"Our
people must remain healthy and well. In 2002, we marked the beginning of a
new era of health and community services in this province with the release
of Healthier Together, a new strategic health plan for Newfoundland and
Labrador. We are shifting our focus from one of simply treating illness to
one of keeping people healthy."
- Our Strategic Health Plan sets out long term health care goals for the
people of the province to:
- Improve health status of Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians
- Improve community capacity to support
better health and well being
- Improve quality, accessibility,
sustainability of healthcare
Natural Resources
"Government�s pro-development agenda
is driving the dynamic and strong economy of this province and confirms that
Newfoundland and Labrador is a great place to invest and do business. There
are achievements that will significantly impact the economy of Newfoundland
and Labrador for many years to come."
- Statement of Principles, June 11, 2002
- Legal documents completed October 7,
2002
- $2.9 Billion to be spent in capital
costs
- 250 working at the Labrador site as of
December 2002
- Preliminary work has commenced in
Argentia
White Rose
- sanctioned March 28, 2002
- $2.35 Billion project
- 1,000 direct and indirect jobs
- $500 Million to government
coffers
- Engineering work is proceeding in
St. John�s employing 200 engineers
Marystown Shipyard
- new owner Peter Kiewit Sons - March 28, 2002
- 60% of total topsides fabrication
for entire White Rose project
- 500-600 jobs at peak time
- 80% of total topside fabrication
and integration for the project
- Fabrication work underway
employing 300 people to date
Newfoundland and Labrador/Nova Scotia
boundary dispute - settled April
2, 2002
- 70% of disputed area for oil and
gas exploration awarded to this province
- 78.5% of the Laurentian Sub-Basin
awarded to this province
- New exploration expected to
commence soon
Gull Island Negotiations
- ongoing
- $4 Billion Gull Island project
negotiations resumed
- 100% Newfoundland and Labrador
ownership
- Escalation provision
- Approaching Government of Canada
for possible participation
"While maintaining a climate for
investment, government must remain committed to stand strong and ensure the
rights of the people of the province, including employment, are the priority
when others are using our natural resources."
Licences for Abitibi
Consolidated, until 2010, are contingent upon the company maintaining
its current production levels at the Grand Falls-Windsor mill, which
includes a two-machine operation and maintaining annual production
levels at substantially the same levels as those in the preceding
three years. Employees at the mill have secure employment.
Fishery Products International
Amendments to the Fishery Products
International legislation renewed hope and secured sustainability for
the communities of Fortune, Marystown, and Harbour Breton. The fish
plants in these communities will now continue to employ local people.
The Province�s Economy
"Moving forward and not backward
secures a bright future. A province is built on a commitment to investment
in people. You pay for this with the benefits of a strong, stable and
dynamic economy."
Employment
- In 2002 a record 213,900 people were
working
- More than 60% of the 27,000 new jobs
created in our province in the past
- several years have been created in
communities outside the St. John�s area
- There are over 20,000 small businesses
in Newfoundland and Labrador, creating 80% of all new jobs in our
economy
- In 2002, government provided financial
assistance to 200 business ventures in strategic economic sectors
throughout the province
Economic growth
-
Our economy is the fastest growing in the
country
-
Our GDP growth has nearly tripled from
2001
-
Total new investment in 2002 exceeded
previous years at $3.33 Billion.
"One school of thought in economics is
that if you keep putting more money back in the hands of the people they
will spend it. They have. Retail sales exceeded last year�s estimates
and are increasing dramatically again this year. This is showing increased
revenues for government."
- Minimum wage increased to $6.00 per
hour on par with Atlantic Canada
- 95% of all businesses are removed from
the payroll tax
- Lowest business taxes since
Confederation
- The lowest personal income tax, which
has decreased five times in the past four years
- The lowest retail sales tax in the last
two decades
2003 02
14
1:15 p.m.
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