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.
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Trans Labrador Highway:
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Labrador Marine Service:
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improvements to ferry
service for passengers as well as freight ($45,000)
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refrigeration system for
the Northern Ranger ($17,000)
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Rigolet fuel infrastructure
funding provided ($20,000)
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Airstrip rehabilitation and
equipment for north and south coast communities ($718,900)
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Winter trails grooming
grants ($240,000)
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5-Wing Goose Bay:
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Premier and
Parliamentary Secretary actively marketed base at Berlin Air Show,
as well as with other European government officials
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Premier, Parliamentary
Secretary and Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs successfully
lobbied federal government to secure increased funding
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Funding supplied through
INTRD�s Market Development Program for �Lessons Learned� tour for
Goose Bay Citizen�s Coalition ($23,000)
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Expression of Interest
called for Lower Churchill Development ($408,000)
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Forestry:
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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
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Forest access road
construction ($3.5 million)
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Silviculture project
funding ($7.3 million)
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Labrador fisheries
diversification projects ($94,200 allocated)
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Agriculture:
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Northern Agrifoods
Strategy established, with a minimum of $1.5 million
federal/provincial funding, specifically for Labrador; potato trials
and forage crop research begun
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Agrifoods assitance to
the Lake Melville Agricultural Association for investment in
agricultural equipment ($165,000)
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Voisey�s Bay:
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Development proceeding
on schedule
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Government continuing to
monitor hiring practices to ensure adjacency principle is being
applied for the benefit of Labrador workers
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Environmental Management
Board funding ($450,000)
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"Them Days� magazine
($37,000)
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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.
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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
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Additional funding provided
to RNC in Labrador West
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New Supreme Court building
constructed in Happy Valley - Goose Bay ($2.1 million approved)
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Labrador Correction Centre
building upgraded ($193,000)
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Increased funding for
Women�s Centres in Labrador City and Happy Valley - Goose Bay ($10,000)
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Municipal operating and
debt-service funding flowed to Labrador municipalities ($3 million)
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Air Foodlift subsidy program
for coastal Labrador ($378,000)
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Labrador Travel Subsidy for
high school athletes ($427,000)
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Community Access Program
(CAP) funding for computers and Internet access ($104,000)
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Bridge funding for Smart
Labrador ($217,251)
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Emergency funding granted to
Hopedale school following fire
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Employment corporations
funding, providing employment for persons with developmental
disabilities ($88,000)
Working with Aboriginal
Communities toward Greater Self-reliance
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Labrador Inuit Land Claims
Agreement Act passed December 6, 2004
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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.
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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)
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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
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Negotiations continued with
the Innu Nation to settle their land claims
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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
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Premier delivered an apology
to the people relocated from Hebron and Nutak
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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.
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Annual electrical service
subsidy provided for Nain Sportsplex (up to $12,000)
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Ferry dock upgrade funding
provided for Postville and Cartwright - Port Hope Simpson ($536,700)
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Women�s Policy Office worked
with National Women�s Institute to support their efforts for children in
north coast Labrador ($5,000)
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Innu Forest Management
Process Agreement funding maintained ($340,000)
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Labrador Metis Nation
participation in forest management process funded ($200,000)
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Government worked with the
Innu and the Government of Canada to further the Innu Healing Strategy
and address social problems
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