The following statement was issued to day by Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I wish to advise members of the House of Assembly and the people of the province that May 30 to June 5 is Environment Week. Environment Week is a time to reflect on the importance of preserving, protecting and enhancing our environment and natural heritage.

We all must work together and do our part to help create a heathier and cleaner environment for ourselves, our children and grandchildren. There are many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians all over the province who are showing their commitment to the environment through their actions. I was pleased to acknowledge some of these individuals this morning during this year�s environmental awards ceremony, which is held each year during Environment Week. The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards Program, which is a joint initiative of my department, the MMSB, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Women�s Institutes, honours our outstanding leaders in environment and conservation.

The environmental awards are presented in six categories, and this year�s award winners are:

Individual: Laura Jackson, St. John�s

Youth or Youth Group: Gaia Environmental Youth Group, Bay Roberts

School or Educational Institution: Straits Elementary, Flowers Cove

Municipality or Regional Waste Management Committee: NorPen Waste Management Inc., St. Anthony

Community Group or Organization: Conservation Corps of Newfoundland and Labrador

Business: Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador.

Government is pleased to be able to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of these environmental leaders. We extend our sincere congratulations and truly appreciate their amazing commitment to our environment.

I ask everyone to make the extra effort during Environment Week to do something positive for our environment. All of our actions, big or small, do make a difference. We have an obligation to ourselves and to future generations to protect and conserve our environment. A healthy environment means healthy people, vibrant communities and a better province for all of us.

2004 05 31                                        1:50 p.m.