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Advanced Education and Skills
Executive Council
September 26, 2013

Province Launches Population Growth Strategy
Community Workshop Consultations

To support a plan to help Newfoundland and Labrador seize the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, reverse current demographic trends, and engage the people of the province on possible solutions, the Provincial Government announced a series of public community workshop consultations today to develop the Provincial Population Growth Strategy.

As highlighted in the 2013 Speech from the Throne, the Provincial Government established the Workforce Development and Productivity Secretariat to ensure labour market policies address increasing labour, skills and demographic challenges and opportunities. Given the strong connection between the labour market and population, discussion from the consultations will also contribute to the creation of a Workforce Development Strategy to inform the approach of the Workforce and Productivity Development Secretariat.

"Through these community workshops, we welcome and encourage people to provide input on developing strategies that will shape the future of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, who made the announcement this morning at Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook. “This is about fostering the long-term sustainability and vibrancy of our communities. At a time when we are experiencing unprecedented economic growth, with more people now employed in this province than ever before, there are demographic challenges that must be addressed in order to push our prosperity forward into the next decade.”

The accessible, informal sessions are being held in 11 communities across the province. To help guide discussions, Changing Course: A Discussion Paper on Population Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador is available at www.gov.nl.ca/populationgrowth .  Individuals can also provide feedback by visiting the website or by emailing populationgrowth@gov.nl.ca.  A schedule for the community workshop consultation sessions can be found in the attached backgrounder. Persons who wish to pre-register or who have accessibility requirements may indicate this in their correspondence.

“By engaging in informal, inclusive and open discussions through these roundtable community workshops across nine Rural Secretariat regions, we will help determine how best to grow our population and achieve long-term social and economic success,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement. “Our economy is more vibrant than at any other time in our recent history, and with the help of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we will put the foundations in place to support the growth of our province, with the potential to be stronger than ever.”

Dan Crummell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will attend the sessions, which will focus on:

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Photo:

  • The Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, at Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook, announcing a series of community consultation sessions and a discussion paper as part of the Provincial Government’s Population Growth Strategy – September 26, 2013
  • Population Growth Strategy Community Workshop Consultations and discussion paper announced at Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook – September 26, 2013
The Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, at Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook, announcing a series of community consultation sessions and a discussion paper as part of the Provincial Government’s Population Growth Strategy – September 26, 2013


Population Growth Strategy Community Workshop Consultations and discussion paper announced at Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook – September 26, 2013

(L-R) Dan Crummell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills (Apprenticeship and Labour Market); Tony Cornect Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier; Minister Shea; Dr. Mary Bluechardt, Vice-President (Grenfell Campus). Vaughn Granter, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources (Forestry and Agrifoods).

Media contacts:

John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Kristina George
Communications Manager
Office of Public Engagement
709-729-1221, 687-9081
kristinageorge@gov.nl.ca


BACKGROUNDER
Public Community Workshops

Public Community Workshops are scheduled as follows:

Date Location Venue Time
Friday, October 4 St. John’s Fairfield Marriott 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, October 7 St. Anthony Hotel North 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 8 Labrador City Two Seasons Inn 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9 Happy Valley-Goose Bay The Labrador Inn 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 15 Clarenville St. Jude’s Hotel 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 16 Gander Albatross Hotel 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 22 Carbonear Fong’s Motel 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday October 24 Marystown Marystown Hotel 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Monday, October 28 Corner Brook Glynmill Inn 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 29 Stephenville Days Inn 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 30 Grand Falls-Windsor Mount Peyton Hotel 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

2013 09 26                                     10:45 a.m.

 
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