Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
March 29, 2010

"The continued unprecedented investment in Labrador and its people is ensuring that the long-term vision for Labrador as described in the Northern Strategic Plan is being realized," said the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "From investments in transportation, health and education, to funding programs and services that strive to meet the challenges of our diverse population and communities in this vast region, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to make the right investments for the Labrador of tomorrow with social and economic benefits that are bringing positive change today."

This investment supports the work of the NSP, a five-year strategy launched in 2007 with the theme: "The future of our land. A future for our children." Updated regularly, it is now expected the NSP will see $587.3 million invested in Labrador by the Williams Government to improve and expand infrastructure, advance delivery of programs and services, and encourage economic prosperity. By the end of the coming fiscal year, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will have spent more than $2.4 billion in Labrador since its first budget of March 2004.

"Budget 2010 supports our government's efforts to achieve real and substantive progress for Labradorians, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike," said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. "This investment builds upon an impressive record of accomplishment. Through the Northern Strategic Plan, this government is listening intently and working hard to achieve a collective vision of a prosperous and progressive Labrador for all."

Within the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, Budget 2010 investments include:

The NSP is updated regularly with the benefit of extensive public input. The following investments, under various government departments, including those featured in other Budget 2010 announcements, demonstrate a firm commitment to secure a prosperous future for Labradorians.

Health and Community Services
Budget 2010 includes significant investments for health-related initiatives in Labrador.

An investment of $9 million in Budget 2010 will allow for continued construction of a new regional health care facility in Labrador West, with the overall investment for this new infrastructure totalling approximately $90 million.

A new satellite dialysis unit for Labrador West will be established with an investment of $672,800. This unit will help reduce travel and improve the quality of life of patients who will be able to receive dialysis closer to home.

Following the completion and analysis of a review of air ambulance services in Labrador and Northern Newfoundland, the Provincial Government announced on March 25 an investment of $700,000 in Budget 2010, at an annual investment of $1.1 million, to enhance the provincial air ambulance program with a second medical flight team, to be located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. An announcement was also made that, based on the recommendations of the review, the air ambulance service in St. Anthony would be re-located to Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The Provincial Government is dedicated to providing programs and services that meet the needs of Aboriginal communities in Labrador, and is investing $430,000 in operational funding for the Transition House Program in Nain and Rigolet. This will enhance the program, which offers safe refuge to women and their children escaping violence.

The number of diabetics in the Innu population, particularly in Sheshatshiu, is rising at an alarming rate and is severely impacting Aboriginal families. Budget 2010 includes $300,000 to hire diabetic education staff in the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish, as well as Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Southern Labrador, and in the Northern Peninsula communities of Flower's Cove and Roddickton.

Addressing the complex health challenges faced by Aboriginal people continues to be a priority for the Provincial Government. Budget 2010 will provide funding to hire a dedicated Aboriginal Health Liaison who will work with Aboriginal governments and organizations in the province to facilitate the development of a holistic and collaborative Provincial Aboriginal Health Policy Framework.

An investment of $606,000 for enhancements to the provincial Medical Transportation Assistance Program will also benefit Labradorians. The funding allows for reimbursement of mileage at a rate of $.16 per kilometre for use of private vehicles that travel over 5,000 kilometres within a 12-month period. The program provides financial assistance to people who incur costs when travelling for insured services not available in their region or within the province.

"Providing access to vital health care services in Labrador is a major priority for our government," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. "Our investments in the new satellite dialysis unit in Labrador West, the Transition House Program, diabetic management, and Aboriginal Health Liason position not only improves the quality of service we provide residents in Labrador, but builds on our commitment to enhance access to services."

Transportation and Works
The Provincial Government is showing its continued commitment to infrastructure in Labrador. With the Trans Labrador Highway (TLH) connected from Labrador West through to the South Coast, Budget 2010 is providing funding for the construction of a new weigh scale inspection facility on the TLH near Wabush, to protect the highway from damage caused by overweight vehicles.

This year will see an investment of $71.3 million to continue with widening and hard-surfacing of the TLH, Phase I. In addition to this funding is the final $7 million of the Federal Government's contribution to the widening and hard-surfacing project. Additionally, the remaining work on Phase III of the TLH will be completed through an expenditure of $10.3 million. Funding is also provided for the completion of depots on the TLH at Cartwright Junction and Crooks Lake.

Through Newfoundland Labrador Housing, Budget 2010 provides funding for the construction of four new social housing units for Nain.

"The Provincial Government is continuing to advance the transportation and infrastructure needs of Labrador," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister responsible for Housing. "Through our investments, we are helping to ensure Labrador is well-positioned for the future."

"Our government continues to make education in Labrador a priority," said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education. "With an investment of over $24 million in infrastructure funding for the K-12 and post-secondary system in Labrador, we are ensuring that students in this region receive their education in quality learning environments."

Environment and Conservation
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador takes site remediation very seriously and is committed to following through on its commitment to assess and remediate specific contaminated sites in the province. An investment of $1 million will assist with the environmental clean-up of the former United States military station in Hopedale.

As well, funding of $500,000 has been allocated for a capacity-funding program to enable meaningful Aboriginal participation during the Environmental Assessment process of the Labrador-Island Transmission Link.

The opportunity and potential of the mineral industry in Labrador will be further explored as part of the development of a Mineral Strategy, as announced by the Provincial Government March 17.

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