News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

NLIS 9
April 11, 2001
(Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs)

 

The following statement was issued today by Ernest McLean, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Combined Councils, Directions North Conference

I rise today to inform honourable members of the House and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador about two exciting events that took place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay late last month.

The Combined Councils held its annual general meeting on March 27 and 28. I had the pleasure to provide that organization with an overview of the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. I also had the opportunity to participate in a round-table discussion, along with the member from Labrador West.

The Combined Councils of Labrador held its first meeting at Makkovik in the mid-1970s to bring the concerns of northern Labrador communities to government. In 1979, the organization expanded to include all coastal Labrador communities. Today, it is comprised of representatives from all Labrador communities.

The AGM was followed by Directions North, a major conference sponsored in part by the Combined Councils. Similar conferences were held in the early 1970s, 1980 and 1990. Its purpose is to bring together Labrador's communities with the intent on setting direction for the region for the next 10 years.

The discussions at both events centred around land claims, the importance of finding the right deal on Voisey's Bay, on the mining, forest, tourism, and fishing industries. It also focussed on finding a solution to the high electricity rates on the Labrador coast, on transportation, health, education and social needs. 

With respect to Voisey's Bay, the honourable member for Torngat Mountains, Wally Andersen, spoke about the need to ensure the people of northern Labrador benefit from this valuable resource.

As well, Fred Hall and Ben Saimat of the Labrador Inuit Development Corporation gave a very informative presentation on a trial quarry at Igiak Bay, south of Nain. This is an exciting project that's expected to create 25 new jobs in a region that has been adversely affected by the downturn in the groundfish industry.

Dr. Axel Meisen of Memorial University also spoke eloquently on the challenges facing rural students of post-secondary institutions. Many other participants expressed their desire for more and more relevant education and research for Labrador. To that regard, the university, with the support of government, will create the position of Labrador Associate at its Labrador Institute. This position will bring to bear the university's scholarly capabilities on the needs and opportunities of the people of Labrador. 

Bob Simms of the College of the North Atlantic spoke about the need to address shortfalls regarding the recruitment and retention of professionals in Labrador, particularly as it relates to teachers, doctors, nurses and social workers.

I also had the privilege to speak at the official launch of Smart Labrador, held during Directions North. This project, one of 12 in the country - as part of Industry Canada's Smart Communities initiative - will result in the establishment of 22 satellite or wireless sites that will provide a wide range of services to the people of Labrador.

By ensuring broadband internet access to all regions, SmartLabrador will connect Labradorians to the world. We value the importance of ensuring Labrador becomes a world leader in the development and use of information and communication technologies for economic, social and cultural development.

During the closing banquet of Directions North, we had the pleasure to have the Hon. Tom Lush, Government House Leader, give an inspiring speech on some of the issues facing Labrador and to outline government's commitment to the region.

I also wish to acknowledge the participation in the Conference of my colleague Yvonne Jones, who acted as a facilitator for discussions on the Strategic Social Plan during the meeting.

Overall, Directions North was a tremendous success. I want to publicly thank all of the organizers, presenters and sponsors for making it possible.

In closing, I want to tell this honourable house that my department will work closely with the Combined Councils, and other groups and organizations in Labrador, to ensure the concerns of Labrador's communities are heard and addressed.

2001 04 11                          4:25 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement