The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs, and the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, announced enhancements to the Air Foodlift Subsidy program (AFS) and funding for two projects that will help promote and preserve the region�s culture and heritage. The AFS program expansion and the projects announced are a direct result of the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador. The plan is in its second year of a five-year mandate during which over $300 million will be spent on new and ongoing initiatives.

"These announcements made today are important for the people of the province, especially people living here on coastal Labrador," said Minister Hickey. "The health and well-being of growing children is necessary for the longevity of our communities. By expanding the Air Foodlift Subsidy and infusing significant funds into cultural organizations, we are on the right path to improving the lives of people here in beautiful coastal Labrador."

"The Air Foodlift Subsidy is vital to people living on the Labrador coast and it is important that the program is well maintained and improved upon where needed," said Minister Pottle. "These enhancements are a real step forward in the delivery of perishable goods that are fresh and nutritious."

The ministers announced:

"The funding announced for the Okalakatiget Society for communications infrastructure and the Torng�sok Cultural Centre in restoring the historic Moravian Mission Complex in Hebron will assist ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate the culture and heritage of the people of coastal Labrador," said Minister Pottle.

"The Provincial Government is committed to developing the infrastructure of the province's rural communities," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "Tourism and the development of tourism opportunities based around Aboriginal culture have been identified as holding significant market potential for northern Labrador. With the Moravian Mission Complex being one of the few surviving buildings of its type we anticipate it being of considerable interest to European and North American visitors."

"Our government recognizes that a stronger social safety net helps support people in developing to their full potential," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minster of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy. "This additional funding for the Air Foodlift Subsidy will assist in improving access to the items needed to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and improved quality of life."

The AFS program was established by the Provincial Government in 1997 to ensure that nutritious, perishable items such as fruit, vegetables and dairy products are available to Labrador�s coastal communities during the winter months. Under the AFS program, a subsidy is paid to retail stores to offset the high cost of flying perishable foods into these communities.

A listing of the eligible and non-eligible food items can be obtained at www.gov.nl.ca/laa

The Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund is a $5 million fund of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and a component of the province�s Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy. The fund provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

The Innovation Enhancement Program provides non-repayable contributions up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $250,000 per project. The program is available to public sector institutions, not-for-profit groups, community organizations and industry associations that are involved in activities that enhance innovation in the province.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is once again demonstrating its commitment to the overall health and well-being of people living in rural and isolated communities," said Minister Pottle. "The investments made here today and throughout Labrador are due in large part to the success of the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador. We all want our children to grow up in healthy, culturally-rich environments, and the funding announced today is helping us to achieve that goal."

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