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

Expo Labrador Offers Big Opportunities in the Big Land

Mr. Speaker, Happy Valley-Goose Bay will host the 2012 Expo Labrador Resource Conference and Trade Exhibition from June 24 to 27 and all indications are it will be the largest and most successful year to date for the annual conference.

Labrador is referred to as the big land and with the current boom we are seeing in the energy and resource sectors, the economic opportunities are even bigger. Stakeholders have the opportunity to realize significant benefits from this conference as they forge relationships and explore business deals. The theme Prepare-Partner-Prosper is particularly fitting for the year’s event.

Mr. Speaker, Labrador is poised for massive economic growth and expanding infrastructure with an explosive mining sector and the forthcoming development of the Lower Churchill, beginning with Muskrat Falls. Resource industry stakeholders from across the country will meet to share their plans for major project developments and local businesses and organizations will be eager to find out what the mining and energy corporations require in the way of on-the-ground support.

The economic future for Labrador is bright and the Provincial Government understands the important role that Labrador plays in the overall success of our province. I am proud to be part of a government that ensures our natural resources are developed for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to prosper today and into the future.

Mr. Speaker, we are proud to be a bronze sponsor at Expo 2012 through our Labrador Affairs Office and I look forward to participating in the full conference agenda. I ask everyone in this Honourable House to join me in congratulating the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce and all of the volunteer organizers of Expo Labrador 2012, as they prepare to host their biggest conference to date.

2012 06 12               1:55 p.m.