The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs:

Government Opens New Office in Labrador West

In Budget 2012: People and Prosperity – Responsible Investments for a Secure Future, our government announced funding to establish an office with a new Executive Director position in Labrador West. I am pleased to advise all Honourable Members that the office is now open in Labrador City.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate and welcome Janice Barnes as Executive Director, Labrador West with the Labrador Affairs Office. Ms. Barnes has been with the Provincial Government since 1999, working in Labrador City as Economic Development Officer with the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. In tandem with this position, Ms. Barnes was Mayor of Labrador City for three years and Deputy Mayor prior to that for four years.

In her new role as Executive Director in Labrador West, Ms. Barnes will work closely with many stakeholders including counterparts in other provincial departments, representatives with the federal government and local municipalities and proponents of mining and other economic development projects.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Barnes has a keen understanding of the impacts that large scale developments can have on communities. She has wide-ranging experience in working collaboratively with industry, community and government on efforts to address the many changes associated with mining expansion and development.

As Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, I look forward to working with Ms. Barnes, as we continue to build a stronger, more prosperous Labrador for ourselves and our children.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this Honourable House to join me in congratulating Janice Barnes on her new position as Executive Director in Labrador West for the Labrador Affairs Office.

2012 05 17                           2:55 p.m.