Following are speaking notes for Judy Foote, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, delivered at the establishment of Zone 8 Humber Economic Development Board:

It is a pleasure for me to be here in Deer Lake this afternoon. The Humber Economic Development Board is the 13th Regional Economic Development Board to be launched in the province, and the fourth on the western portion of the island. Just this past Saturday, I was joined in Plum Point by my federal colleague Gerry Byrne where we marked the launch of two Regional Economic Development Boards: the Red Ochre Regional Board and the Nordic Economic Development Corporation.

Today's ceremony marks a significant step forward towards implementing a new approach to economic development and job creation in this region of the province.

Since the beginning of May, I have had the pleasure of attending each of the ceremonies officially launching the establishment of Regional Economic Development Boards. It is exciting to be a part of the momentum that is building around this new approach to regional economic development, and it is encouraging to see so many people volunteering their time and energy in support of the economic zone process.

Within your zone all community and economic development groups have contributed through a public consultation process to develop the structure for the permanent board. The election of board members throughout the province is taken very seriously by all involved. There is a clear recognition that this is a new way of doing business.

Today marks the completion of the transition process to a permanent board structure in this area. Representatives of communities, business, labour, economic development organizations and interest groups now have a new and effective means to coordinate their economic efforts. A strategic plan will be developed by the Humber Economic Development Board over the coming months. The planning process will build on the opportunities identified as having potential for long-term economic viability in this region. It will build on the goals of communities, organizations and residents. It will be action-oriented, to create new wealth and in so doing create new jobs for the people of this zone. Long term meaningful employment opportunities for the people in zone eight is the ultimate goal of the strategic plan.

This region has all the ingredients you need to build on an already strong economic base. Government's overall Strategic Economic Plan places emphasis on diversification of the economy as a key element for long-term economic growth. The Humber region already has a good start as you have one of the most diversified economies in the province.

Zone eight is a major agricultural centre in the province. The Humber region is also a major centre for the forestry industry, providing full time employment for 700 people in the pulp and paper industry, as well as seasonal work for several hundred more, in addition to jobs in the lumber industry.

Tourism is an important industry with Marble Mountain in particular as a major winter tourism destination. The 1999 Canada Winter Games will serve as a major tourism draw for your region and bring national recognition to this area, and despite the downturn in the groundfish fishery you still have a thriving seafood base.

You have a manufacturing industry that produces a range of products including chemical stones, fertilizer, insulation, paper, waste disposal systems and wallboard. These companies are strong exporters, marketing their products to the rest of Canada and around the world. Building Newfoundland's export industries is another key element of the province's Strategic Economic Plan.

The economic zone process is a new way of doing business. The involvement of the regional economic development board in each region is a key element in this new process. It will establish the framework for strengthening the economic base of the region which will eventually lead to new business opportunities and jobs for the people of the zones. It will provide government, for the first time, with a clear reference point to guide their economic activities in this area as well.

There are clear signs that this new approach is already producing tangible benefits. As many of you probably know, I will be delivering a speaking address to the Economic Development Conference in just a couple of hours. This conference is an example of cooperation within the region in which your board has been an active participant. Through the cooperation of the Town of Deer Lake, the Humber Valley Development Association, the Humber Economic Development Board, the Deer Lake Chamber of Commerce, the Elwood Regional High School and the staff in my department's western regional office, this weekend's conference was made possible. It demonstrates the enthusiasm and initiative which your board has for regional economic development.

I am also pleased to hear how well your public consultation sessions went just two weeks ago. I understand you had some lively discussions which will assist you as you identify, develop and coordinate the economic priorities of your region.

I would like to stress as well, the importance of pursuing economic development activities while the strategic planning process is unfolding. As viable development opportunities are identified, I encourage the Board to proceed immediately to seek the support necessary to implement them, recognizing of course that governments do not have unlimited resources.

The regional economic zone process is capturing the attention - and imagination - of thousands of volunteers and staff committed to economic renewal in Newfoundland and Labrador. Volunteers from business, labour, municipalities, and local economic development groups are putting their names forward for election to Regional Economic Development Boards. There is no clearer expression of commitment to the future of your community, your region and your province. I commend you for your vision, your leadership and your contribution.

Today, as we welcome the new Regional Economic Development Board in this zone, we also thank the outgoing Provisional Board members. If the new approach to regional economic development is to build on strengths within each zone, the organization to lead this process had to be structured to represent the characteristics of each zone. Bringing together groups and interests who have often not worked together previously is not always easy, but you have done it. Consulting with the public to maximize input, and incorporating the results of public consultation into the final structure, has taken innovation and compromise.

For those of you who have gone on to become members of the Regional Economic Development Board, and for new members, good luck in the important work ahead of you. For the organizations and individuals not on the board but committed to long-term economic development, I encourage you to play an active role in planning and implementing development initiatives here in your zone.

Again, I congratulate all of you on your accomplishments to date. I encourage you to continue your volunteer efforts, and I commit my personal support as well as that of my department and of the Provincial Government.