Marine service between island and northern Labrador maintained

Works, Services and Transportation Minister Jim Walsh and Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Wally Andersen announced today that the MV Trans Gulf will make a freight run from Lewisporte, with freight destined for the north coast of Labrador, approximately every two weeks.

Beginning August 2, the Trans Gulf will depart Lewisporte for Black Tickle and Cartwright, picking up freight destined for ports along the north coast of Labrador.

"The people of the north coast of Labrador have expressed some very serious concerns about the cost of shipping freight over the Trans Labrador Highway, and they have also expressed their desire to maintain business relationships with suppliers on the island using a marine connection through Lewisporte," said Minister Walsh. "We have listened to their concerns and have decided to add Lewisporte to the Trans Gulf schedule. The bi-weekly trip to Lewisporte is an interim measure which will give more time to collect data and evaluate the costs of alternative transportation modes, as well as allowing more time for new supplier links to be developed in relation to the road transportation network. This will also be good news for the business community on the island portion of the province who will, on an interim basis, still be able to ship goods from Lewisporte."

"In order to provide the north coast with a viable service, the North Coast Transportation Committee requested we have a vessel operating from Lewisporte to service northern Labrador communities," said Minister Andersen. "My intent from day one was to ensure government provided a service that is acceptable to the people of the north coast. A bi-weekly freight run should provide a service at reasonable rates."

Minister Walsh said the port of Cartwright will remain extremely busy throughout the rest of the season, as it still serves as the trans-shipment port for Labrador marine services. "The Trans Gulf will call on Cartwright to pick up freight destined for the north coast. The MV Sir Robert Bond will continue to make three rounds trips weekly between Cartwright and Goose Bay; and the MV Northern Ranger will continue to make a weekly round trip between Cartwright, Black Tickle, Goose Bay and ports north to Nain. So, as the trans-shipment facility, we expect a lot of movement through Cartwright," said Minister Walsh.

"In my view, this is a good decision by government," said Labrador Inuit Association President William Andersen III. "This provides a marine transportation system that will benefit northern Labrador. I am confident it will lead to a complete and satisfactory service."

North Coast Transportation Committee chair Jim Lyall said he�s relieved and overjoyed with the announcement. "Much credit has to be given to the North Coast Transportation Committee for its hard work and determination in ensuring the concerns of the people on the north coast were heard by government. I would also like to commend Minister Andersen, who has been very supportive from day one, as well as Minister Walsh, who listened to our concerns and acted on them. Since being elected as LIA president this past spring, William Andersen III has taken a strong position on this issue. He understands the importance of marine services to the people from Labrador�s north coast," said Mr. Lyall.

"This is a good day for Lewisporte, and I am very pleased with this decision," said Lewisporte Mayor Bill Hooper. "Our community and all of central Newfoundland will benefit economically from this decision, as will northern Labrador. I would like to thank Minister Walsh for all the time he has put into this matter, as well as the people from northern Labrador who have supported us in our cause to have freight shipped from Lewisporte."

"The Lewisporte and Area Chamber of Commerce is tremendously pleased with this announcement," said Chamber President Reverend Arthur Elliott. "We�ve been fighting for this a long time. It restores the freight service out of Lewisporte and the historic link between central Newfoundland and northern Labrador. The economic benefits for central Newfoundland and northern Labrador will be enhanced by this decision, and jobs at Lewisporte will be maintained."

Media contact:

Lynn Evans, Department of Works, Services and Transportation, 729-3015
Bert Pomeroy, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, 896-1688
Jim Lyall, North Coast Transportation Committee, 922-2942
Jolene Jenkins, Labrador Inuit Association, 896-1433
Bill Hooper, Mayor, Town of Lewisporte, 535-2268 or 541-0100
Rev. Arthur Elliott, Lewisporte and Area Chamber of Commerce, 535-2500

2003 07 22                                   2:35 p.m.