Labrador and Aboriginal
Affairs
April 29, 2008BACKGROUNDER
Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador Budget 2008 Initiatives
As a result of the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador (NSP), the
Provincial Government has increased programming funds above and beyond
existing programs and services for Labrador. Initiatives under Budget
2008 for the NSP include:
Natural Resources and Environment
$800,000 for geoscience funding for Labrador-based projects
from $1,000,000 provincially allocated funds;
$50,000 for a Land Management Officer;
$42,000 for a Land Survey Inspector; and,
$35,000 for an Engineering Technician.
Tourism and Culture and Recreation
$500,000 for continued investment in the Labrador Winter Games; and,
$50,000 to implement an Intangible Cultural Heritage strategy
for Aboriginal peoples.
Education and Employment
$60,000 for an Aboriginal Literacy Development Consultant
position to be placed in Labrador.
Access to Programming and Services
$698,200 for six additional RCMP officers, one Public Service
Employee and one Civilian position;
$300,000 for the planning and design of a new holding
facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for youth, adult women and
people with mental health issues;
$200,800 for a Legal Aid Office in Labrador West;
$200,000 under the Poverty Reduction Strategy for
increased funding to the Air Foodlift Subsidy, bringing the
total annual investment to $600,000;
$200,000, under the Poverty Reduction Strategy, to
expand eligibility for the Northern Allowance to all Income
Support clients who maintain a residence in coastal Labrador;
$200,000 funding for feasibility, engineering and
environmental studies related to establishing a fibre optic link
to Labrador;
$114,300 to hire an additional social worker and travel
costs;
$112,200 for the expansion of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Government Service Centre to full-service Motor Registration
Division;
$100,000 for a Gladue Court in Sheshatshiu, which specializes
in the treatment of Aboriginal offenders and operates on the
premise that Aboriginal peoples face unique challenges;
$59,200 for the Sheriff�s Office expansion for court security
in Labrador;
$58,100 to hire a liaison social worker to assist clients
with multiple barriers and improve the delivery of services
offered in the Labrador region (Happy Valley-Goose Bay);
$45,000 to hire a program coordinator for the Department of
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs;
$43,000 for travel costs for Labrador youth to attend the
Annual YC Newfoundland and Labrador convention; and,
$20,000 to increase the Combined Councils of Labrador funding
for a total of $120,000.
Aboriginal Partnerships
$50,000 to provide grants to Aboriginal women�s
groups/organizations to address their participation in the
review of recommendations to address local Aboriginal women�s
issues and to support specific projects related to
implementation of recommendations to address Aboriginal women�s
issues;
$50,000 for funding to the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation
Council for future development and attendance at the North
American Indigenous Games; and,
$32,800 for analytical support to assist in the analysis and
implementation of recommendations arising from the National
Aboriginal Women�s Summit, June, 2007.
Transportation
$2.1 million for a new depot in the Cartwright Junction area;
$275,000 for a new winter trail groomer for Postville;
$200,000 for the enhancement of winter trails on North Coast;
and,
$75,000 for a groomer shed for North West River.
Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
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