BACKGROUNDER

Government Accomplishments to DateSince taking office in the fall of 2003, government has made significant progress on meeting its Blueprint commitments to Labrador and Labradorians. Recognizing the pivotal role of the region in the future success of our province, government has taken special care to ensure that Labrador is fully included in Newfoundland and Labrador�s social, economic and political dialogue and decision-making. Advances have been made in creating meaningful employment opportunities, optimizing resource benefits and developing infrastructure that results in a stronger, more vibrant economy. Government is working with Labradorians to open up this new frontier to new opportunities that will benefit to Labrador�s people, communities and economy.

In the 2004 Throne Speech, government made a number of commitments focused on strengthening Labrador�s economy and social infrastructure, and working with aboriginal communities to foster self-reliance. Government has demonstrated its commitment through the initiatives outlined below.

Strengthening Labrador�s Economy
Strategic investments to date, especially in infrastructure development and promotion, industry research, business diversification and labour relations, have strengthened Labrador�s positioning for long-term economic growth.

  • Trans Labrador Highway:

    • Phase I chip seal surfacing test

    • Phase III Environmental Impact Study completion and construction start ($6.4 million)
       

  • Labrador Marine Service:

    • improvements to ferry service for passengers as well as freight ($45,000)

    • refrigeration system for the Northern Ranger ($17,000)
       

  • Rigolet fuel infrastructure funding provided ($20,000)
     

  • Airstrip rehabilitation and equipment for north and south coast communities ($718,900)
     

  • Winter trails grooming grants ($240,000)
     

  • 5-Wing Goose Bay:

    • Premier and Parliamentary Secretary actively marketed base at Berlin Air Show, as well as with other European government officials

    • Premier, Parliamentary Secretary and Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs successfully lobbied federal government to secure increased funding

    • Funding supplied through INTRD�s Market Development Program for �Lessons Learned� tour for Goose Bay Citizen�s Coalition ($23,000)
       

  • Expression of Interest called for Lower Churchill Development ($408,000)
     

  • Forestry:

    • Call for proposals for a study on the potential for secondary manufacturing and value-added wood products development in Labrador; the terms of reference for the study were developed in consultation with Labrador industry and groups, including the Innu Nation and the Labrador Metis Nation

    • Forest access road construction ($3.5 million)

    • Silviculture project funding ($7.3 million)
       

  • Labrador fisheries diversification projects ($94,200 allocated)
     

  • Agriculture:

    • Northern Agrifoods Strategy established, with a minimum of $1.5 million federal/provincial funding, specifically for Labrador; potato trials and forage crop research begun

    • Agrifoods assitance to the Lake Melville Agricultural Association for investment in agricultural equipment ($165,000)
       

  • Voisey�s Bay:

    • Development proceeding on schedule

    • Government continuing to monitor hiring practices to ensure adjacency principle is being applied for the benefit of Labrador workers

    • Environmental Management Board funding ($450,000)
       

  • "Them Days� magazine ($37,000)
     

  • Labour Relations Agency worked to resolve labour disputes at the mines in Labrador West

Strengthening Social Infrastructure

Government has done much to enhance the health, safety and well-being of Labradorians, in areas as diverse as child protection, justice, community and personal development.

  • Additional social work positions (5) at an annual cost of $500,000 and additional RCMP positions (11) at an annual cost of $1.2 million established for coastal communities

  • Additional funding provided to RNC in Labrador West

  • New Supreme Court building constructed in Happy Valley - Goose Bay ($2.1 million approved)

  • Labrador Correction Centre building upgraded ($193,000)

  • Increased funding for Women�s Centres in Labrador City and Happy Valley - Goose Bay ($10,000)

  • Municipal operating and debt-service funding flowed to Labrador municipalities ($3 million)

  • Air Foodlift subsidy program for coastal Labrador ($378,000)

  • Labrador Travel Subsidy for high school athletes ($427,000)

  • Community Access Program (CAP) funding for computers and Internet access ($104,000)

  • Bridge funding for Smart Labrador ($217,251)

  • Emergency funding granted to Hopedale school following fire

  • Employment corporations funding, providing employment for persons with developmental disabilities ($88,000)

Working with Aboriginal Communities toward Greater Self-reliance

  • Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act passed December 6, 2004

  • Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement signed with the Labrador Inuit Association and the Government of Canada in Nain on January 22, 2005, providing the foundation for sustainable development in northern Labrador.

  • Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve Land Transfer Agreement signed with the Government of Canada on January 22, 2005 (which included a funding commitment from Parks Canada of $14 million over the first 10 years)

  • Parks Impacts and Benefits Agreement signed with the Labrador Inuit Association and the Government of Canada to provide employment and economic benefits for the Inuit

  • Negotiations continued with the Innu Nation to settle their land claims

  • Premier Williams and Minister Joan Burke traveled to the North Coast of Labrador during the summer of 2004, visiting all communities there to listen first-hand to the concerns of the communities

Other Aboriginal Initiatives

  • Premier delivered an apology to the people relocated from Hebron and Nutak

  • Federal/Provincial Inuit Communities Agreement extended for 2004, providing $13.4 million for municipal infrastructure, supplementary education programs, community development and housing; the parties are working toward extending the agreement in 2005.

  • Annual electrical service subsidy provided for Nain Sportsplex (up to $12,000)

  • Ferry dock upgrade funding provided for Postville and Cartwright - Port Hope Simpson ($536,700)

  • Women�s Policy Office worked with National Women�s Institute to support their efforts for children in north coast Labrador ($5,000)

  • Innu Forest Management Process Agreement funding maintained ($340,000)

  • Labrador Metis Nation participation in forest management process funded ($200,000)

  • Government worked with the Innu and the Government of Canada to further the Innu Healing Strategy and address social problems

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