Transportation and Works
Health and Community Services
Environment and Conservation
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Child, Youth and Family Services
Justice
Advanced Education and Skills
April 24, 2012
Labradorians Continue to Benefit from Northern Strategic Plan Investments
Budget 2012 is building upon the achievements of the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador, with over $158 million being invested, strengthening the social and economic future for all Labradorians. The Provincial Government has remained focused on the needs of Labrador since 2004 and by the end of the current fiscal year, total spending through the plan and other Labrador-related initiatives will have exceeded $3.5 billion.
“The Northern Strategic Plan is considered a living document evolving with the changing needs of Labradorians,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. “Labrador is poised for massive economic growth and expanding infrastructure with an explosive mining sector and the development of the Lower Churchill, beginning with Muskrat Falls. We will continue to make strategic investments to support the region and the exciting opportunities ahead.”
Through the Labrador Affairs Office, Budget 2012 provides the following investments:
- $350,000 for the Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy to provide a quality winter road system to Labrador communities that otherwise would not have any means of road transportation to other communities in the winter months;
- $230,000 for the continuation of the Air Foodlift Subsidy to help provide consumers in remote Labrador communities with nutritious, perishable foods at a reasonable cost;
- $180,000 to establish an office with a new Executive Director position in Labrador West. The Executive Director will help identify how demands for government programs and services are changing as a result of current and future mineral exploration and development in the region and recommend strategies to address these changing demands; and,
- $100,000 operating grant for the Combined Councils of Labrador which enables Labrador’s isolated communities, through a unified voice, to address challenges in Labrador.
The Northern Strategic Plan is a dynamic, multi-faceted, cross-departmental strategy. The following investments, including those featured in other Budget 2012 announcements, support the Northern Strategic Plan through expanding infrastructure, improving the delivery of programs and services, and encouraging overall economic prosperity.
Transportation and Works
As announced on March 30, Budget 2012 will see a Provincial Government investment of $65.8 million to call the last two tenders to complete Phase I of the Trans Labrador Highway from Labrador West to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Final tenders have been issued.
“More than $250 million has been spent on Phase I of the Trans Labrador Highway alone by this government, as we work towards completing one of the largest and most significant infrastructure projects in the province’s history,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “The investment this year through Budget 2012 will complete Phase I, and will advance us closer to our goal of providing a fully paved and widened Trans Labrador Highway to serve the social and economic needs of the region.”
Health and Community Services
The Provincial Government continues to invest in the health of residents and communities in Labrador. In Budget 2012, $26.4 million is allocated to enhance vital services and infrastructure. This includes $25.7 million to continue the construction of the Labrador West Health Centre, which upon completion will represent an overall total investment of approximately $90 million.
Budget 2012 also includes the following investments through the Department of Health and Community Services:
- $276,600 to enhance dialysis services at the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
- $275,000 to establish a new road ambulance base in Cartwright to provide road ambulance coverage to the Labrador south coast highway between Cartwright and Happy Valley-Goose Bay; and,
- $116,400 to fund a pharmacist position at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City.
Environment and Conservation
Funding of just over $2 million in Budget 2012 will allow for continued remediation efforts at the former US military site in Hopedale. This investment represents year two of a three-year, $6.3 million commitment. The Department of Environment and Conservation continues to work closely with Hopedale residents, the Inuit Community Government of Hopedale, and the Nunatsiavut Government throughout the process.
With a commitment of $522,000, the Provincial Government will continue its management efforts of Labrador caribou, as part of a three-year, $1.9 million initiative. This funding will allow for continued data collection and monitoring of the George River caribou herd, in an effort to understand and help mitigate the recent decline of the herd.
“Understanding the factors that affect any wildlife population is extremely important as we develop strategies to appropriately manage their numbers,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “In the case of the George River caribou herd, we have implemented a number of conservation measures to help strengthen the population, and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of these animals.”
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
The Provincial Government continues to invest $750,000 annually in the Labrador Travel Subsidy Program to enable approximately 1,500 athletes, teams, and individuals in Labrador to travel to the island portion of the province each year to participate in athletic competitions and training camps.
In addition, Budget 2012 allocates $500,000 to support the 2013 Labrador Winter Games.
“The Labrador Winter Games support the goals and strategic directions of the recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “The games help to promote sport, recreation and community development as well as encourage young people to participate in sport.”
Child, Youth and Family Services
Through the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will purchase staff housing for the Labrador region at a cost of $560,000 for the coastal communities of Hopedale and Nain. Providing staff housing will help further strengthen the recruitment and retention of staff in this region.
Justice
The Provincial Government understands the unique cultural needs of Aboriginal people living in Labrador. Building on the success of projects such as the Innu Healing Path, $282,200 is being invested for specialized services and programming in Natuashish and Sheshatshui.
Advanced Education and Skills
Budget 2012 allocates $216,200 in continuing support for Memorial University’s Native Liaison Office, which provides Aboriginal students with information on services, course selection, registration, tutoring and accommodations. The office also serves as a centre for social and recreational activities for students in the St. John’s area.
Women’s Policy Office
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is continuing to support the Inuit Women Capacity Building Project by providing funding of $125,000. This project will help increase Inuit women’s capacity to achieve sustainable livelihoods and ensure that they have access to information on programs and services to enhance their quality of life.
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Media contacts:
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Carol Ann Carter Director of Communications Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Labrador Affairs 709-729-1674, 631-9505 carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca |
Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca |
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Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
Melony O’Neill Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-0928 moneill@gov.nl.ca |
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Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
Michelle Hunt Director of Communications Department of Child, Youth and Family Services 709-729-5148, 725-1593 michellehunt@gov.nl.ca |
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Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Department of Justice 709-729-6985, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca |
John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
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Tracey Boland Communications Specialist Women's Policy Office 709-729-6225, 693-7938 traceyboland@gov.nl.ca |
2012 04 24 2:45 p.m.