Michael Says No to Thousands of Jobs

The Honourable Darin King, Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency, today expressed concern at the anti-development, anti-jobs stance taken by the New Democratic Party.

“The leader of the third party today in the House of Assembly once again demonstrated her opposition to the Muskrat Falls Project,” said Minister King. “That is a direct attack on the trade unions and the thousands of skilled workers who will find work on the project.”

During construction, from 2013-17, the Muskrat Falls project will require an average of 1,500 jobs per year in more than 70 trades and occupations, totalling approximately 9,100 person years of employment over the five-year construction phase. Direct employment is expected to peak in 2015, with an average of 3,100 jobs. Employment will occur in steady numbers, month over month, year over year.

“The NDP is against development of our resources, they are against diversification and they are against the jobs that come with it,” said the Minister.

In addition to jobs, stable electricity rates, a connection to the North American electricity grid and power for industrial development in Labrador, Muskrat Falls will bring $20 billion in revenues to the province over the next 50 years.

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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca 

2013 03 13                        5:50 p.m.