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Innovation, Trade
and Rural Development
May 7, 2009
The following statement was issued by the Honourable Shawn Skinner,
Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. It was also read in
the House of Assembly:
Business, Labour and Government Working Collectively
As a government we have made a long-standing commitment to improving
communications and identifying opportunities for collaboration among
business, labour and government on issues related to improving the
province�s competitiveness.
Over the last five years, the Strategic Partnership, led within the
Provincial Government by Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, has
heightened the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration. In fact, it
is worth noting that the Strategic Partnership is North America�s only
successful collaborative approach that bridges business, labour, and
government.
The Strategic Partnership is led by a council of senior
representatives from the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour,
the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Coalition, and the Provincial
Government who identify challenges and opportunities to stimulate social
and economic development. More importantly, the partnership provides the
platform to formulate consensus-based recommendations and help shape
policy and actions.
Over the past three years, the partnership�s Labour Market Committee
examined the province�s ability to increase labour market participation,
attract and retain workers, along with enhancing the quality and use of
labour market information. Their work contributed greatly to many of the
new programs of the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
that were introduced in Budget 2008.
Additionally, its Employment Relations Committee, in collaboration
with the Labour Relations Agency, was prominent in the new labour
management legislation passed in April 2008. All partners agreed that
changes were necessary to the way arbitrations were handled in
Newfoundland and Labrador and worked collectively to achieve consensus
on a model that serves the best interest of all parties.
Recently, the partnership has broadened its focus to investigate any
opportunities for its involvement in such areas as innovation and
transportation and information communications.
We are committed to ensuring the success of the Strategic
Partnership, and I am very happy to report that the level of trust and
respect among the partners is at an all time high. There is a strong
willingness on everyone�s behalf to deliver positive results for the
province.
On behalf of the Honourable Members of the House of Assembly, I would
like to take this opportunity to thank members of the council and its
associated committees for their valuable contribution. Their work is one
more example of how through collaboration and partnering we can seek
opportunities to grow our communities.
2009 05 07 1:40 p.m.
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