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Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs December 7, 2006 The following statement was issued by the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly: I rise in this honourable House today to congratulate the Nunatsiavut Government on successfully completing its first year in existence. It was two years ago yesterday that the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement legislation was ratified right here in this very House and approximately one year ago that the Nunatsiavut Government was created. The first year of self-government has been a challenging one for all concerned but great progress has been made. Following the creation of the Nunatsiavut Government, they went about the task of putting in place the legislation and structures to operate as a new government. On October 4, 2006, the Nunatsiavut Government held its first general election for Nunatsiavut Assembly members. The election resulted in the selection of eight Ordinary Members representing Labrador Inuit in the Nunatsiavut Assembly. On October 16 of this year, the members of the new legislature were sworn in. Also sworn in was Todd Broomfield, the first speaker of the Nunatsiavut Assembly. As well, Inuit Community Governments have been put in place to replace the municipal governments in Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Rigolet and Postville. Our government is now working to transfer crown lands to the Inuit community governments. An implementation committee has been put in place to oversee the implementation of the agreement. A fisheries board, wildlife and plants board and regional planning authority will commence operations in 2007. The fisheries board and wildlife and plants board will give advice on the management of natural resources in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area as per the terms and conditions of the agreement. The regional planning authority will develop a land use plan for Labrador Inuit Lands over the course of the next three years. The Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement provided for a new era of independence for the Labrador Inuit. The agreement also provided for the formal establishment of the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve by the Government of Canada. This park consists of approximately 9,600 square kilometers. For almost 30 years the Inuit of Labrador worked toward achieving this agreement, along with their partners in the federal and provincial governments. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Nunatsiavut Government on a successful first year. Our government looks forward to continuing to have a positive working relationship with President William Andersen III as our governments go forward into the future. 2006 12 07                                     2:35 p.m.