Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
February 17, 2010Minister Corrects
Misinformation from Opposition
Today, the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of
Labrador Affairs, clarified misinformation recently
distributed by Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones regarding
the Air Foodlift Subsidy (AFS) program.
The minister pointed out that the AFS is not
"suspended" for some communities on the South Coast and
Straits of Labrador, as Ms Jones has suggested, nor is
it intended as a subsidy for the benefit of private
businesses. The subsidy is strictly for isolated
communities that are inaccessible by marine service
during the winter season.
"The cost of transporting perishable items by air is
an expensive undertaking," said Minister Hickey. "Thanks
to recent enhancements to transportation infrastructure,
we are reducing the need to fly goods into the South
Coast and Straits and therefore reliance on the Air
Foodlift Subsidy is greatly lessened."
Minister Hickey explained that in previous years, the
South Coast and Straits regions were eligible for the
AFS five days after the MV Apollo ceased
operations for the winter. This year, a pilot project
commenced in February that has the MV Sir Robert Bond
continuing service between the Labrador Straits and
Corner Brook. As a result of this unprecedented
extension to the marine service, South Coast and Straits
communities will be eligible for the subsidy only if the
marine service is unavailable due to weather or
mechanical failure. Meanwhile, the isolated communities
of Black Tickle and William's Harbour will remain
eligible as they are not connected to the Trans Labrador
Highway.
Minister Hickey also took the opportunity to respond
to remarks made by Ms. Jones that questioned his
commitment to Labradorians.
"My commitment to Labradorians has never wavered,"
said Minister Hickey. "By spreading misinformation and
attempting to diminish the positive work being done by
the Provincial Government, Ms. Jones attempts to obscure
the fact that this government is making tremendous
achievements throughout Labrador."
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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
2010 02 17 3:10 p.m.