Progress made on Northern socio-economic development

Northern social and economic development was front and centre at the recent Northern Development Ministers Forum (NDMF) meetings in Chibougamau, Quebec, says Trevor Taylor, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The Labrador delegation�s key recommendation, says the minister, was for the federal government to host a national forum on worker recruitment and retention in Northern communities.

"The aim of the Northern Development Ministers Forum is to help advance Canada�s northern regions," said Minister Taylor. "These meetings reinforced that many of the priority issues in Labrador are similar to those elsewhere in northern Canada."

"One of the key challenges facing northern communities is recruiting and retaining professionals. But we need a concrete strategy on how we�re going to do this. So, we�re asking that the federal government host a national forum on recruitment and retention in the North. We need to move forward on this issue."

Minister Taylor co-presented on the priority project Recruitment and Retention of Professionals in the North. Newfoundland and Labrador has led this file for the past three years, resulting in the development of three national reports. Another presentation made by the minister focused on a communications strategy regarding the importance of investment in northern transportation infrastructure. Minister Taylor also offered assistance with the working group that is preparing for 2007�s International Polar Year.

During the forum, ministers covered other key issues for northern development, including updating the forum�s Three-year Action Plan 2004-2006, and fostering northern innovation. A highlight was the submission of a northern information kit that will help create public awareness of the reality of Canada�s northern regions.

Joining Minister Taylor at the NDMF conference was John Hickey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, and the MHA for Lake Melville. "It was useful to meet with others who share challenges similar to those in Labrador," said Mr. Hickey. "I expect that we will see some concrete outcomes from these meetings. I certainly hope that the federal government acts on our recommendation to host a Northern workers� forum."

Northern Development Ministers Forum meetings are held annually between ministers responsible for northern development. Originally established in 2000 in Happy Valley � Goose Bay, the NDMF demonstrates the joint commitment of federal, provincial, and territorial governments to the socio-economic development of Canada�s northern regions. This year�s meetings were held October 27 - 29 under the theme, Maximizing Economic and Social Impacts from Major Projects in the North. Manitoba, which is hosting next year�s meetings in September 2004, is prioritizing an education training initiative that was strongly supported by the Labrador delegation.

Media contact: Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-3733