Executive Council
December 31, 2014

Investing in Labrador Communities

Labrador Investments Continue to Support Communities and Families in 2014

The economic and social well-being of Labradorians remained a focus of the Provincial Government throughout 2014 as it advanced major infrastructure initiatives relating to transportation, healthcare, education and municipal infrastructure. By the end of the current fiscal year, the Provincial Government will have invested a total of $4.9 billion in Labrador through the Northern Strategic Plan and other Labrador investments since 2004.

"Through strategic investments, the Provincial Government is ensuring that the appropriate transportation infrastructure, as well as access to health care, education, and other important services are in place to support communities and families all across Labrador. Key projects were advanced in all regions of Labrador in 2014 and, as we enter 2015, I look forward to working with all Labrador communities to further advance the interests of all Labradorians."
- The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

During 2014, more than $82 million was invested to upgrade 130 kilometres of roads and highways in Labrador. This includes 49 kilometres of paving on the Trans Labrador Highway between Labrador West and Lake Melville leaving only 11 kilometres of this 500 kilometre section to be paved early next season. Work also progressed this year on the request for proposals process for a new 15-25 year partnership with a service provider to provide passenger, vehicle and freight service for the north coast of Labrador and passenger and vehicle service for the Labrador Straits. The vessels to be used for these services will be new or built in 2010 or later, be ice-class and have roll-on, roll-off capability. A contract is expected to be awarded early in 2015 with the new service starting in 2016.

Budget 2014 allocated $13.3 million to complete the Labrador West Health Centre. This new facility is substantially complete and the transition process into the new facility has begun with the official opening expected within the next few months. A contract worth $8.2 million was awarded to fund a 20-bed expansion of the long-term care facility and approximately $1.6 million was announced for new and replacement equipment for the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay this fall.

Other infrastructure investments supported continued work on the reconstruction of William Gillette Academy in Charlottetown and the construction of a multi-purpose community centre in Hopedale and a new arena in Makkovik all of which are nearing completion. Significant funding under the Municipal Capital Works Program provided $5 million for the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, $4.2 million for the Town of Labrador City and nearly $2.5 million for the Town of Wabush to support various municipal infrastructure projects.

"Through priority investments in transportation, healthcare, education and important municipal infrastructure, our government is supporting vibrant and prosperous communities for families to live and work."
- Minister Russell

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government continued to support the economic and social well-being of Labradorians in 2014 through investments to advance important transportation, healthcare, education and municipal infrastructure.
• Guided by the Northern Strategic Plan, and other investments targeting Labrador, by the end of the 2014-15 fiscal year the Provincial Government will have allocated a total of $4.9 billion in Labrador since 2004.
• During 2014, more than $82 million was invested to upgrade 130 kilometres of roads and highways in Labrador and a new contract for improved Labrador marine services is expected to be awarded early 2015 with service set to begin in 2016.
• 2014 saw substantial completion of the Labrador West Health Centre which is set to open in the coming months, the award of a contract to fund a 20-bed expansion of the long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, continued work on the reconstruction of William Gillette Academy in Charlottetown and the advancement of various municipal infrastructure projects.

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Media contact:

Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs 709-729-1495, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca

2014 12 31                              10:20 a.m.