The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs:

Winter Trails Keep Labrador Coastal Communities Connected

The Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy program plays a vital role to maintain and enhance the winter trail system for many isolated coastal communities in Labrador.

Thanks to the vision articulated in our Northern Strategic Plan, we continue to make historic improvements to the transportation infrastructure of Labrador. Landmark achievements such as the connecting of the Trans Labrador Highway and the introduction of a year-round ferry service across the Strait of Belle Isle are transforming the way Labradorians live, work, travel and do business.

However, even with such revolutionary improvements, there are still communities in coastal Labrador that have no access to a winter road system, and it is imperative that we as a government continue to provide access to these communities. In Budget 2010: The Right Investments - For Our Children and Our Future, $590,000 was provided for grooming coastal snowmobile trails, including an additional $120,000 for a groomer storage facility in North West River.

During this past summer, the Provincial Government provided $30,000 to the White Bear Development Association for trail upgrades between Charlottetown and Norman Bay. Another $30,000 was allocated to the Inuit Community Government of Rigolet for trail improvements between Rigolet and Separation Lake. Yet another improvement included $20,000 in available funding to participating communities and development associations for added signage on the groomed trailways.

It is essential that we keep a high-level of maintenance for the grooming vehicles and ensure the best possible equipment and training for the people who operate the groomers . This season, Tracer-3 Global Positioning System tracking equipment for the groomers will be installed. This allows the trail inspector to view the progress and whereabouts of the groomers at any given time. It will provide a real-time update to travellers of trailway conditions. Groomer operators throughout Labrador had the opportunity to upgrade their essential winter survival skills and certification through an investment of $134,000 from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.

As well, I am pleased to report that a seasonal trail inspector has now been hired for the season and will begin duties in the coming weeks.

Throughout the coming months, the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs will continue to monitor the trailways, meet with community leaders, and work hard to keep Labrador connected.

2010 12 08                                                   2:30 p.m.