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."

  • Healthier Together - 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."

  • Voisey�s Bay project - 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."

  • Abitibi Consolidated
  • 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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