December 9, 1997
(Works, Services and Transportation)
The following statement was issued today by
Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation.
It was also read in the House of Assembly:
I wish to follow-up on a December 4 question from
the Leader of the Opposition on government's future provision of
passenger and freight service to coastal Labrador.
As Honourable Members are aware, responsibility
for this operation was transferred to the province through a
comprehensive federal-provincial agreement last spring. Given the
timing of the transaction, Marine Atlantic continued to operate
the service under contract to the province for the past season.
On December 15, title to Marine Atlantic's
coastal assets will be transferred to the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador. This significant array of
infrastructure includes the car ferry Sir Robert Bond, the
coastal passenger freighter Northern Ranger, and all freight
handling components and office equipment at the company's
facilities in Lewisporte and Goose Bay.
We are at a pivotal point in our province's
transportation history. In addition to the infrastructure noted
above, the comprehensive $340 million transfer agreement signed
with the Government of Canada last spring puts us in good stead
to provide a quality marine service to coastal Labrador
residents, while also achieving a greatly enhanced Labrador road
network.
Already we are seeing the positive results of our
Labrador initiatives and this $340 million fund, as evidenced by
my announcement last week of a further $28 million in tenders for
Labrador
road construction and upgrading. As mentioned at
that time, this will bring our 1998-99 Labrador road expenditures
to $36 million.
However, government's road initiatives in
Labrador will not be carried out at the expense of coastal
Labrador residents, and their marine requirements.
This past summer, the consultants SGE Group
carried out extensive consultations with coastal Labrador
stakeholders on our behalf, seeking their input into our service
plans for 1998 and beyond.
Government will continue to provide a quality
level of service to coastal residents as our road projects
evolve, and Labrador's road network grows. There will be no
trade-off of Labrador transportation services, but a balanced
endeavour achieving road progress while ensuring coastal freight
and passenger needs are met.
An in-depth business plan for the 1998 season has
been developed by my department, and will be presented very
shortly to my Cabinet colleagues for their consideration.
A great deal of effort and prudent assessment has
gone into our 1998 business plan, and it is our intention that it
be finalized before the end of the calendar year.
At that time, details will be provided to all
Honourable Members, the public, and in particular, the key
stakeholders in the new provincial coastal Labrador service.
|