The Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal
Affairs, expressed concern today following a statement from Nunatsiavut
Government President Jim Lyall that accused the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador of ignoring the needs of Inuit communities.
Minister Pottle highlighted several initiatives the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pursuing within Inuit
communities through the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador.
"We have contributed $590,000 for the ongoing
restoration of the Moravian Mission complex in Hebron and $160,000 to
the Okalakatiget Society for communications infrastructure," said
Minister Pottle. "We are working with the Nunatsiavut Government on the
assessment of options for the Nain airstrip, which we advanced to the
Federal Government as a funding priority at the Atlantic Infrastructure
Summit in December 2008. We are helping to distribute more than $2
million in funding to the Nunatsiavut Government for Aboriginal housing.
We are continuing to invest in new equipment and trail improvements for
the network of winter transportation trails in the region."
Minister Pottle noted that the Inuit communities,
while receiving federal infrastructure funding for housing, water and
sewer and other projects as part of the Inuit Land Claims Agreement, are
also eligible to apply for infrastructure funding in the same manner as
all other communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial
Government encourages the Inuit community governments to make the
appropriate applications for funding as they require.
Minister Pottle pointed out that Inuit communities
could have also benefitted from new federal stimulus spending for
Aboriginal people, but have been largely left out. "Premier Williams and
I both made representation on behalf of Labrador Inuit to the Federal
Government prior to their recent budget," said the minister. "However,
much of the new federal spending is limited to First Nations on reserve,
and new northern spending is limited to the Territories. Inuit in both
Labrador and Quebec are therefore unable to access any of the $600
million in new funding for housing on reserve and in the north, nor any
of the $515 million in new funding for on-reserve infrastructure. I have
called upon the Federal Government to correct this inequity."
"Along with infrastructure development, during this
time of economic uncertainty, developing the economy of the north coast
of Labrador is a priority for this government," said Minister Pottle,
noting the January 29 announcement of the improved development agreement
with Vale Inco, which included a new commitment that the second stage of
the feasibility study for underground mining at Voisey�s Bay be
completed by June 30, 2011. The minister also noted that an ongoing
study into alternative energies announced last autumn could create
development opportunities for the region.
The Provincial Government has made numerous other
investments to improve the quality of life of residents of coastal
Labrador. "This government listens to the concerns of the people about
the cost of living in remote communities," said Minister Pottle. "We
have responded with funding enhancements and program improvements to the
Air Foodlift Subsidy, an energy rebate for rural isolated residential
customers, enhancements to the home heating rebate program for coastal
Labrador residents, an energy efficiency community pilot project,
enhanced travel subsidy programs � the list goes on."
"This government is investing in Newfoundland and
Labrador like no other government in history," the minister said.
"Through the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador we will
continue to build and develop infrastructure, enhance programs and
services, and improve the lives of all the people of Labrador, and that
includes the people of the north coast."
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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
2009 02 25
4:15 p.m.