Intergovernmental Affairs Minister submits proposal regarding
Gander Weather Office to federal minister

The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Lush today released the proposal to the federal government to maintain public and marine forecasting services at the Gander Weather Office. The proposal was submitted to federal Environment Minister David Anderson earlier today.

The report is in response to a federal government decision to downgrade the Gander Weather Office and a subsequent meeting between Premier Roger Grimes, MHA Sandra Kelly and Minister Anderson in Ottawa on March 17, at which time the minister indicated he was open to an alternative proposal for the operation of the centre if one were developed.

Minister Lush stated: "We have worked diligently to provide an alternative which would maintain local forecasting in the province. We feel the proposal is a reasonable one, it was submitted to the Minister Anderson today."

NOTE TO EDITORS: Copies of the proposal will be available to media at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow (April 4) in the boardroom of the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat, 7^th Flor, East Block, Confederation Building. Minister Lush and MHA Sandra Kelly will be available at that time.

Media contact: Tom Hann, Communications, (709) 729-1341

2003 04 03                                         5:25 p.m.