Celebrating Great Achievements in Labrador in 2012

The Provincial Government has made Labrador’s needs and opportunities a provincial priority and, by the end of this fiscal year, more than $3 billion overall will have been spent in Labrador since 2004. Over the past year, the Provincial Government has continued to address unique challenges and capitalize on unique opportunities in the Labrador region of the province.

“The past 12 months has seen a great deal accomplished in Labrador as our government continues to improve programs, services and infrastructure for the benefit of all Labradorians,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. “Without doubt, the greatest accomplishment of the past year is reaching the decision to sanction and move forward with the Muskrat Falls development. Muskrat Falls will provide stable electricity rates into the future, for residents, businesses and large industrial users throughout the province, at the lowest possible cost, and help to create an even brighter future for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians through both direct and indirect benefits.”

Over the next 10 years, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador expects to see up to $15 billion in investments in Labrador mining projects for iron ore, nickel, copper, cobalt, uranium and rare earth minerals. The development of these resources will depend, in part, on the availability of power. Sanctioning of the Muskrat Falls project will make it more attractive for mining companies to make positive investment decisions that will help provide even more opportunities to the people of Labrador and the entire province.

One key program area of the Labrador Affairs Office is the annual Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy (LTGS). This subsidy provides a total of $350,000 each year to participating community groups to help maintain and improve winter snowmobile access between isolated communities and the nearest service centre during the winter season. In recent months, officials of the Labrador Affairs Office held targeted consultation sessions with community groups on the north and south coasts of Labrador, which will inform recommendations on the future delivery of the program.

“Our government remains focused on the needs of Labradorians and we are committed to ensuring that there is a winter trail system to serve coastal Labrador communities not connected to the Trans Labrador Highway,” said Minister McGrath. “I am proud of the positive working relationships we have developed with participating community organizations and we will continue to work together to enhance access for all Labradorians living in coastal communities.”

On December 17, the Provincial Government also announced that a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued for passenger, freight, and vehicle ferry services for the Strait of Belle Isle and the coast of Labrador. The RFP calls for the provision of coastal Labrador marine services using purpose built, ice-class vessels, with roll-on, roll-off capability under a 15-year contract beginning in April 2016. This will help secure a marine transportation service that will be able to address changing industrial, commercial, and residential needs throughout Labrador, which is in keeping with the goals of the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador (NSP).

“The announcement of new purpose-built, ice-class vessels that can accommodate both passenger and vehicle traffic is a major step forward for marine services for coastal Labrador communities,” said Minister McGrath. “These vessels will be faster and provide more flexibility for all users and will help to further the social and economic interests of the people and businesses they serve.”

Labrador is continuing to see development and natural resource growth at unprecedented levels and the Provincial Government is committed to policies and programs that support social and economic development in Labrador.

Some of the major Labrador investments announced in the past year include:

• $65.8 million to complete Phase I of the Trans Labrador Highway;
  
• $25.7 million for the continued construction of the new hospital in Labrador West;
  
• $195,400 for the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City for new equipment including: laparoscopy equipment; EKG machine; electro-surgical generators; and video colonoscope;
  
• $2 million for continued environmental remediation efforts in Hopedale;
  
• $125,000 to implement an electronic patient medication profiling system at the hospital pharmacy in Labrador City;
  
• $469,500 for coastal Labrador communities stretching from Mary’s Harbour to Nain for new medical equipment and facility renovations;
  
• $540,000 to support individuals affected by a permanent fish plant closure in the communities of Black Tickle and St. Lewis; and,
  
• $500,000 to support the Labrador Winters Games scheduled for March 3-9, 2013 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

“The Northern Strategic Plan outlined an initial investment of $250 million and contained 145 Provincial Government commitments,” said Minister McGrath. “We have continued to build on this plan and, since 2007, more than $750 million has been invested in Northern Strategic Plan initiatives to support 235 commitments with approximately $158 million slated to be invested during the current fiscal year. As I think back on what has been accomplished so far, I look forward, with confidence, to further achievements in 2013 and beyond.”

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Media contact:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs
Labrador Affairs
709-729-1674, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca

2012 12 28                                9:45 a.m.