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NLIS 4
September 21, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

 

New funding announced for Labrador Travel Subsidy Program

Ernie McLean, Minister responsible for Labrador, and Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that government has approved additional funding in the amount of $180,000 for the Labrador Travel Subsidy Program. The Labrador Travel Subsidy Program, established in 1969, allocates monies each year to offset the vast disparity in cost for Labrador residents participating in provincial sport and cultural events on the island. The original budget for this year was insufficient, leaving high school students and community groups in a position where travel to intra-provincial competition was impossible.

"The Labrador Travel Subsidy Program has proven over the years to be of vital support for both community and school programming. It is an important mechanism that enables community and school leaders to provide the young people in isolated communities with opportunities to compete and socialize with other residents at provincial events, and I am delighted that we were able to identify additional funds for this important program," said Minister Furey.

"I am very pleased that government was able to secure this funding for the youth of Labrador," said Minister McLean. "We have been working hard for the past few weeks to address this issue, which seriously affects the people of Labrador, and this additional funding is a clear reflection of government�s understanding of the unique needs and isolation issues facing the children in the Labrador region."

The funding will be divided between the High School Athletics Federation, which will an additional $100,000, and the regular Labrador community-based youth groups, which will receive an additional $80,000.

"Labrador is a unique region in our province, both geographically and culturally. This funding will allow the youth of Labrador the opportunity to compete with their peers across the entire province, which will positively impact the development of sport in the region. Equally as significant, this will benefit our young people socially, as they are given the same opportunities and experiences afforded to the youth on the island portion of the province," added Minister McLean.

Yvonne Jones, MHA - Cartwright-L�Anse au Clair, was also very pleased with today�s announcement. "This funding will provide a great opportunity for talented athletes in Labrador to showcase their skills in a competitive and professional atmosphere. I am pleased that government continues to demonstrate their support and understanding of the unique needs of Labradorians," said Ms. Jones.

Wally Anderson, MHA - Torngat Mountains, says that this news is especially good for the people in the Torngat region. "The small and isolated communities in the Torngat area would have been the most significantly impacted by the lack of funds for the Labrador Travel Subsidy Program," said Mr. Anderson. "I have met with both Ministers Furey and McLean on this issue, and I am more than pleased that government has recognized the unique situation in Labrador, and has approved this funding which will greatly benefit the youth of the region."

Media contacts:

Rick Callahan Communications, Government Services and Lands, (709) 729- 4860
Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-0928.

2000 09 21 3:25 p.m.


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