Minister Eager to Work with New Combined Councils of Labrador Executive 

The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Transportation and Works and minister responsible for Labrador Affairs, today extended his congratulations to the newly- minted executive of the Combined Councils of Labrador (CCL). 

The executive was named Saturday in Nain at the 35th Annual Socio-Economic Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Combined Councils of Labrador. 

�The Combined Councils of Labrador has become an important voice for all Labradorians and I look forward to meeting with the executive at our earliest conveniences,� said Minister Hickey, who was unable to attend the event due to inclement weather.  �I also look forward to continuing the strong relationship this government has forged with the Combined Councils, particularly over the past year or so.� 

The Combined Councils of Labrador, established in 1972, provides an opportunity for municipal leaders throughout Labrador to gather and discuss issues of mutual concern and to engage government in meaningful deliberations. 

Government invested $100,000 in the Combined Councils of Labrador in Budget 2006, evidence of their on-going support of the organization. 

Of course, this was just one of the many investments government made in Labrador in the most recent budget. Some of the other contributions included:

• More than $50 million for infrastructure in 2006-07, the first installment of a $200 million commitment over the next four years.
• $1.3 million to implement the Labrador Inuit Land Claims agreement.
• $1.9 million contribution towards establishment of a performance space in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Minister Hickey pointed out the numerous investments have been spread across Labrador, from a new transportation depot for Red Bay-Lodge Bay to a new K-12 school in L�Anse au Loup and a new health centre in Labrador West. 

�Initiatives spearheaded by the Williams administration such as the Northern Strategic Plan and the Labrador Transportation Strategy are just a couple of examples of the this government�s pledge to improve the lives of Labradorians,� said Minister Hickey, president of the CCL in 1991. 

�The unprecedented investment and consultation this government has initiated in Labrador speaks to the importance we place on this unique part of the province.� 

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Media contact:
David Salter
Director of Communications
Labrador Affairs
709-729-3015, 691-3577
davidsalter@gov.nl.ca  

2007 01 29                                                        4:30 p.m.