Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
Fisheries and Aquaculture
November 20, 2008

Labrador Accomplishments Highlighted
During Labrador Fishermen�s Union Shrimp Company Biennial Conference

Through its Northern Strategic Plan, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is making investments in infrastructure and social programs to improve the lives and well-being of all Labradorians. The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs, and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, provided updates on Labrador initiatives while addressing delegates at the biennial convention of the Labrador Fishermen�s Union Shrimp Company in L�Anse au Clair. The convention took place November 17 to 19.

"It is a great pleasure to have Minister Hedderson join me to visit the Straits and speak on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Hickey, who was special guest speaker at the convention banquet Wednesday evening. "I am pleased to report that through our Northern Strategic Plan, which will see some $300 million invested throughout Labrador in the next four years, we are having a significant impact on the lives of people here on the south coast and in the Straits. For example, work on new schools in L�Anse au Loup and Port Hope Simpson is progressing. As well, phase three of the Trans Labrador Highway is moving into the final stages, with 215 kilometres of the 265-kilometre road completed. Through investments like these we will continue to improve the lives of all Labradorians."

The Labrador Fisherman�s Union Shrimp Company Limited is owned by harvesters on the south coast and in the Straits of Labrador with its head office located in L�Anse au Loup. It operates processing facilities in L�Anse au Loup, Mary�s Harbour, Cartwright, Pinsent�s Arm and Charlottetown. Approximately 400 people are employed by these plants. There are approximately 400 shareholders in the shrimp company. Each shareholder is a full-time harvester residing in Labrador.

"This is a most impressive company that is generating significant income and employment in a rural area of the province," said Minister Hedderson. "It is a truly unique group of entrepreneurs who have had the vision to create solutions at the community level. It is pioneers like this group of harvesters who are the future of rural areas of our province."

The Labrador Fishermen�s Union Shrimp Company meets every two years to elect its board of directors.

"By generating employment and economic opportunities, the Labrador Fishermen�s Union Shrimp Company is helping to secure the sustainability of communities on the south coast and in the Straits," said Minister Hickey. "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to support economic development through investment in this region and throughout all of Labrador."

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Media contacts:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture> 709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs> 709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2008 11 20                                                     3:30 p.m.
 


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