|
BACKGROUNDER
Government�s Blueprint for the Future and the 2004 Budget made strong
commitments to Labrador. Government has begun to deliver on these
commitments over the past year and has commenced implementation of a social
and economic strategy that reflects the needs of Labradorians.
Government is announcing the following initiatives based on the strategic
priorities of Labrador:
Health and Wellness
The health and well-being of all citizens of the province is of primary
importance to government. Premier Williams made strong commitments to the
people of the province, specifically Labrador, during the First Ministers�
Meeting in September 2004.
Medical Travel
Government is building on its Blueprint commitment to provide more equitable
access to health services through a new annual investment of $167,000 to
assist residents of Labrador West traveling to Happy Valley-Goose Bay for
medical procedures. This assistance will improve access to services and help
offset the high costs Labrador residents incur when traveling outside their
communities to obtain medical services. This initiative puts Labrador West
residents on equal footing with residents of the Labrador North and South
Coasts, who currently pay $40 for round trip flights to access CT Scans and
laparoscopies in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. Anthony. It is anticipated
that approximately 220 residents of Labrador West will benefit from this
initiative in 2005-2006.
This new initiative also enhances the existing provincial Medical
Transportation Assistance Program, which currently provides assistance to
patients who travel via commercial air to access insured services outside
the boundaries of their regional health authorities. Funding is based on a
$500 deductible, which is applicable once in a 12 month period, with the
balance of eligible expenses cost shared at 50 per cent.
Captain William Jackman Hospital
A 2003 operational review of Health Labrador Corporation identified physical
infrastructure issues at the hospital in Labrador City. In response,
government will invest up to $200,000 in Budget 2005 to complete a role
study and needs assessment to begin addressing these infrastructure issues.
The findings will assist the Labrador-Grenfell Regional Integrated Health
Aut hority (RIHA) and government identify the best approach to dealing with
infrastructure needs. The Labrador-Grenfell RIHA will issue a request for
proposals to select a consultant to begin the work as soon as possible.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Prevention
Government will invest $100,000 to support a FASD prevention initiative in
partnership with the Labrador FASD Advisory Committee and Labrador-Grenfell
RIHA. The initiative will target women of childbearing years and their
support systems. It will focus on increasing public awareness, prevention
and health promotion at the community level. This represents the first
investment specifically targeting prevention of FASD in the province. The
Advisory Committee is hosting a regional FASD workshop in Happy Valley-Goose
Bay on March 15-17, 2005 to examine strategies and best practices in the
prevention, diagnosis and intervention of FASD.
FASD is caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol and has lifelong implications
for babies. Other factors, such as maternal health and nutrition, use of
drugs or other addictions, violence and other lack of supports may also
influence the effect of alcohol in a pregnancy.
Aboriginal Peoples
Labrador�s aboriginal communities face unique challenges, but they are also
full of hope and promise. Premier Williams made a very strong commitment to
address the many needs and opportunities of our aboriginal peoples �
especially the children - both during the September 2004 First Ministers�
Meeting and during his visit to the North Coast last summer. The high
population of young children represents great opportunities for the future,
if provided the proper tools for success. Aboriginal women are embracing
their social and political power, to heal and advance their communities.
Government is focusing its efforts to ensure that Labrador�s aboriginal
communities have the tools to build a better future. All levels of
government have roles to play; the province will continue to press the
federal government to work with us and with aboriginal leaders to address
their pressing needs and issues.
Protecting Children
A more responsive child protection system has resulted in significant
increases in the number of reported cases in which children need protection.
Having discovered the depth and gravity of the need for child protection,
government is providing an additional $250,000 to permanently hire three
additional social workers in Natuashish and other aboriginal communities.
This builds on the $500,000 commitment made in Budget 2004 for an additional
five social work positions for Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Sheshatshui and
Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Shushepishipan Group Home
The Shushepishipan Group Home is a six-bed residential environment for
adolescents. It accepts youth placements under the Youth Criminal Justice
Act and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. In August 2004, with the
support of the current Band Council, the Department of Health and Community
Services ended the previous service agreement with the home�s Board, due to
programming concerns and inadequate financial accountability. Government has
been working with the current Band Council to develop a plan to reopen the
home, emphasizing quality of care, administrative accountability and program
development. In Budget 2005 government will invest $70,000 to begin the
transition process to reopen the home. The home will build community
capacity for responding to youth and families in crisis. Labrador Group
homes are also located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Nain.
Early Childhood Development, Learning and Care
Recognizing that children of all abilities and socio-economic backgrounds
deserve to be given an equal chance to succeed in life, government recently
announced plans for new investment in early childhood development, learning
and care. $1.6 million will be invested this year, and a total of $16.8
million of federal funding over five years, to increase the number of
low-income families accessing the Child Care Services Subsidy program
throughout the province. For the first time since 1998-1999, this year the
income eligibility threshold will rise from $13,800 to $20,280, with a
further increase to $22,080 in 2007-2008. As part of this initiative, the
children of approximately 30 Labrador families will now benefit from more
learning opportunities.
Investments will also focus on enhancing the quality of child care
environments including more professional support services for early
childhood educators and family child care providers, augmented professional
support services to assist special needs children, enhanced quality
programming and the availability of more specialized equipment for children
of different abilities.
Government will continue to invest $210,000 annually to support family
resource programs in aboriginal communities offered through the Shakastueu
Pisham Centre in Sheshatshui and the Piguttuk Family Resource program in
Nain. These programs promote healthy child development and parenting skills.
Parents receive support through parenting workshops and information on child
development. In addition, children and paren ts participate together in
play-based and early learning activities.
Supporting Aboriginal Women
Government recognizes aboriginal women in Labrador need support to restore
healthy communities, reduce violence against women, improve access to
women�s shelters, prevent fetal alcohol syndrome and have greater access to
employment opportunities.
Government is committed to preventing violence against aboriginal women and
will provide $100,000 to target community-based awareness and education
activities and materials, as well as access to other aboriginal violence
prevention models and networks. Government will also provide $70,000 to
support the opening of a much-needed women�s shelter in Hopedale.
To ensure aboriginal women�s voices are heard in Labrador, the government
will provide $20,000 for a conference where critical social and economic
needs and priorities can be identified and a plan of action developed to
address these issues.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is the foundation for sustainable communities and a key
component of government�s economic development strategy for Labrador.
Strategic investments in transportation and municipal capital projects are
essential to fostering long-term economic growth and opportunities that
benefit all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Trans Labrador Highway Phase III
Government intends to complete Phase III of the Trans Labrador Highway
(Happy Valley - Goose Bay to Cartwright Junction) by the Fall of 2009
through a combination of provincial and federal investments. Government is
strongly advocating for the federal government to include Trans Labrador
Highway (TLH) as part of the National Highway System, creating a road link
between this province and the rest of the country and making TLH road work
eligible for federal funding. The total cost of Phase III is estimated to be
$110 million.
In this construction season, tenders will be called for approximately 28 km
of road work and a permanent bridge across Paradise River. Including
carryovers from the 2004-2005 construction season, $40 million has been
allocated in the 2005-06 budget year for continued work on the TLH.
Government will ensure the highest possible level of environmental
protection during construction and operation of the TLH. Responding to
concerns raised during the Environmental Assessment process, government has
made changes to the original routing and has strengthened the ongoing
regulatory and resource management processes to the TLH.
New Depot
Since the road between Red Bay and Lodge Bay opened in the fall of 2000,
severe winter weather conditions have made it extremely difficult to keep
this road open and safe. Government will construct a depot in the area to
house specialized snow-clearing equipment; the estimated cost of this
project is $750,000.
Chip Seal
Throughout 2005 and 2006, the Department of Transportation and Works will
evaluate the performance of the 15 kilometre chip seal road surface that was
laid in 2004 at the suggestion of local representatives, to determine its
suitability as an alternative to conventional asphalt in the Labrador
environment. Chip seal has been successfully used on low-traffic-volume
roads in the Maritime provinces, Quebec, British Columbia and the Yukon;
this is the first time this material has been tried in Labrador.
Municipal Capital Works
$3.3 million has been allocated for Labrador, from the province�s $17.5
million Municipal Capital Works budget for 2005-2006. The Municipal Capital
Works Program provides funding to assist municipalities with major essential
infrastructure projects, su ch as provision of drinking water, sewage
disposal, roads, waste management, fire protection and recreation
facilities. These projects are primarily cost-shared with municipalities on
a 50/50 basis, although this ratio may be adjusted as far as 70/30 when
municipalities are unable to fully fund their share.
An additional $10 million has also been allocated for Labrador communities
under other infrastructure programs such as the Multi-Year Capital Works
Program, the Canada/ Newfoundland and Labrador Infrastructure Program and
the Canada/ Newfoundland and Labrador Inuit Communities Agreement.
Value-added Resource Development
The forest resources of Labrador contain tremendous potential. Government
will spend $155,000 in 2005 to assess the potential for secondary
manufacturing and value-added wood products development in Labrador. We have
consulted on the terms of reference for this study with representatives from
industry, including existing harvesting and sawmill operations, as well as
town councils, Innu Nation, Labrador Metis Nation, zonal boards and regional
economic development groups, and environmental groups.
Tourism and Recreation
Tourism continues to hold great potential in this province. Nowhere greater
is the potential than in Labrador, with its vast untouched landscapes and
outdoor opportunities second to none in the world. With this extraordinary
outdoor asset available to enjoy, we are fortunate that recreation is key to
developing strong and healthy young people for the future. We must provide
our citizens with recreational opportunities throughout the province.
Destination Labrador
Government will provide $300,000 over three years to support the tourism
sector through the Destination Labrador program. Destination Labrador is a
non-profit organization comprising industry and federal and provincial
representatives from all regions of Labrador, established in 2003 to promote
Labrador as a tourism destination. This provincial government investment is
expected to leverage investment from federal and industry partners, for a
total project commitment of $1.38 million over three years in cost-shared
funding.
This initiative is in keeping with its commitment to making strategic
investments to grow the economy. In addition to generating tax revenues,
tourism brings new money into the province, creates opportunities for small
business and rural communities, creates both seasonal and year-round
employment, and increases the viability of amenities such as restaurants,
gas stations and hotels in rural communities. These benefits are
particularly important for Labrador, which faces unique socio-economic
challenges imposed by geography and extreme climate.
Labrador Winter Games
Government will provide $500,000 in Budget 2005 to support the 2006 Labrador
Winter Games. Held every three years, the Labrador Winter Games began in
1982 as a way to promote the development of sport and recreation programs
throughout the communities of Labrador; encourage, promote and enhance
cooperation and understanding among all peoples of the region; and revive
and encourage the development of traditional sports and activities
associated with the traditional lifestyles of the region.
The 2006 Labrador Winter Games will bring together approximately 450
athletes and involve approximately 1,000 volunteers from all communities of
Labrador during a week-long competition. Many of the events, including
snowshoeing, rifle shooting, dog sled racing and the seal crawl, are part of
the Labrador culture. Government recognizes the unique opportunity presented
by the Games, to mobilize Labrador as a community and to enhance the pride
and culture of Labrador.
Provincial Government Presence in Labrador
The governance of Labrador must respond to the challenges of a mixture of
cultures and languages, an immense geography and a physical separation from
the island part of the province. The provincial government is aligning
government structures to respond appropriately to this complex environment.
The Regional Council of Labrador�s senior provincial public servants is a
very useful mechanism for coordinating provincial government activity and
sharing information across departmental boundaries. This mechanism will be
retained and strengthened in the future.
The Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs will continue to serve the
interests of Labradorians from two bases: the Labrador Affairs Branch in
Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the Aboriginal Affairs Branch in St. John�s. The
Deputy Minister position will continue to be located in Goose Bay and this
position is expected to be filled in the very near future. This office is
part of the public service of the provincial government and it supports the
work of two Ministers and a Parliamentary secretary who all advance
Labrador�s issues within the government.
The provincial government has fulfilled an election commitment by creating a
new senior position with appropriate supports in Labrador West, with an
investment of $250,000. This position is an executive level role within the
Department of Natural Resources and will serve the interests of Labrador� s
mining, agricultural, and energy sectors. The focus of this position will
help ensure that the benefits of resource developments are real and
sustained for Labradorians. Recruitment for this position is currently
underway.
Finally, the government will follow through on its commitment to establish a
branch of the Premier� s Office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This Office will
not duplicate the work of other provincial organizations. It will not
substitute for the role of the Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Ministers or
the Parliamentary Secretary. The role of this office will be to ensure a
direct conduit between Labrador and the Premier on the priorities, views,
and concerns of Labradorians, and will identify opportunities for the
region.
Through all of these mechanisms, the provincial government will have an
unparalleled presence and involvement in the public life of Labrador
compared to any administration in the past.
Back to Release |
