November 20, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

The following statement was issued today by Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

For the first time in the history of the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair, Canada's most prestigious exhibition for the agricultural industry held every year in Toronto, the Newfoundland Pony was present in the equine breeds of the world exhibit, sponsored by GM Trucks.

This exhibit is one of the feature attractions of the Royal Winter Fair. Sergeant Art Kelloway of the Trinity Conception RCMP detachment and Sergeant Lyn Chapman of the Metro Toronto Police Force exhibited Sergeant Chapman's pony "Wonder" around the ring and explained the importance of the pony. As a result, the Newfoundland Pony Society received an award for the most successful exhibit in the Horse Palace.

The Hon. John Godfrey, MP for Don Valley, who is part of the federal government heritage committee, and who was also representing Minister Sheila Copps, spoke on the interest they had in the heritage activities associated with the Newfoundland Pony.

I was honoured to receive a painting by the well known Newfoundland artist, Clifford George. This painting is one of a series that Mr. George is doing on the Newfoundland Pony called "Whispering Snow". This particular painting will be displayed prominently and with pride.

I would also like to remind members that this House, unanimously approved a motion to recognize the Newfoundland Pony as a heritage animal. Following this motion, the Heritage Animals Act was passed in December 1996. The Newfoundland Pony was declared as the province's first heritage animal. The Newfoundland Pony Society was also recognized as the official group to represent the pony in this province. I ask all members to join in congratulations to this society and the commitment to the Newfoundland Pony.

In January 1999, Heritage Canada will be releasing their new "Symbols of Canada" book which will include the Newfoundland Pony.

We will continue to participate in combined heritage activities involving the Newfoundland Pony society, the federal government and our own government.

The Newfoundland Pony Society, with the support of my department is now doing DNA sampling of all Newfoundland ponies to support the registry maintained by the society as a step toward having it declared as a breed under Canada's Animal Pedigree Act. We will be working very closely with the Newfoundland Pony Society and the federal government in helping them achieve this goal.

On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sergeant Kelloway and the Newfoundland Pony Society for the exemplary effort they put into this project which reflects so well on all of us.

1998 11 20 4:15 p.m.