Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
December 6, 2006

The following statement was issued by the Honourable John Hickey, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Air Foodlift Subsidy Program

I rise in the House today to inform my honourable colleagues that the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs has commenced the annual Air Foodlift Subsidy Program for Labrador for the 2006-07 winter shipping season.

Communities in Northern Labrador became eligible to access the program between November 23-25. The communities of Black Tickle, Williams Harbour and Norman Bay engaged in the program on November 29 and will have another opportunity on December 10. The remaining Southeastern Labrador and Labrador Straits communities will access the program once the marine crossing between St. Barbe and Blanc Sablon ends for the winter season.

The Air Foodlift Subsidy Program was developed in 1997 and ensures the people of coastal Labrador receive nutritious and perishable items during the winter months.

The shipping season generally runs from early June to mid-November for the North Coast and from early May to mid-January in Southeastern Labrador and the Straits. The Air Foodlift Subsidy Program begins 10 days after the marine shipping season is completed for each region, when consumers must rely on air delivery of perishable goods.

Currently there are 20 communities involved in this program. Since the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs took over the administration of the program we have implemented measures to make the program more efficient with options such as automatic bank deposits for claims and electronic versions of the claim forms to assist retailers. We are open to receiving input from retailers and community members on ways to continuously improve the program.

The north coast of Labrador has access to the Air Foodlift Subsidy for a longer period of time since southeastern Labrador and the Labrador Straits have a longer shipping season and road access. In these latter areas, the subsidy usually starts in mid-January and runs to early May.

Government is aware of these challenges and we have demonstrated a firm commitment to the people of Labrador, in the 2006 Budget.

This year we have increased the Air Foodlift Subsidy funding from $300,000 to $400,000 by working in conjunction with the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Our government will continue to explore options for the shipment of perishable, nutritious goods to coastal communities and we are committed to administering the Air Foodlift Subsidy Program.

2006 12 06                                 2:55 p.m.