NLIS 6 February 27, 2006 (Transportation and Works) Government announces Minister�s Advisory Committee on Labrador Transportation Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works and John Hickey, MHA, Lake Melville, announced the formation of the Minister�s Advisory Committee on Labrador Transportation, during a news conference this afternoon at the offices of the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. A nine-member committee has been established to make recommendations on how best to address future Labrador transportation needs. "The committee will provide government with a thorough understanding of the unique issues relating to transportation in Labrador, from a resident�s perspective," said Minister Taylor. "This is a time of tremendous opportunity and transition for the transportation infrastructure in Labrador. Over the next decade, large amounts of public monies will be spent in Labrador, a region which is a priority of government. The ministerial advisory committee will be instrumental in advising government as we move forward to address issues such as those associated with the Trans Labrador Highway, the Labrador marine service and air transportation." Government recognizes that the completion of the Trans Labrador Highway in 2009 will dramatically alter the region�s transportation network, said Minister Taylor. "It�s important that we immediately address all elements of the Labrador transportation infrastructure, including our roads and air and marine service. I look forward to meeting with the committee members in the near future and receiving their input. Then we can move ahead with the development of an optimum strategy to meet the transportation requirements of the people of Labrador." Mr. Hickey says the committee members are all esteemed citizens in their respective communities and throughout Labrador. "I�m confident this well-respected team will take a detailed approach when studying these transportation issues. As Labradorians, they are directly impacted and therefore will provide insight and awareness," said Mr. Hickey. The committee members are: Carol Burden (Port Hope Simpson), Rick Lewis (Happy Valley-Goose Bay), Janice Pike (Happy Valley-Goose Bay), Jim Farrell (Wabush), Myles O�Brien (L�Anse au Loup), Bridget Andersen (Makkovik), Wade Dyson (Cartwright), Jim Lyall (Nain) and Ben Michel (Sheshatshiu). As part of government�s consultation process, the first task of the committee members will be to review three studies which have already been undertaken on a Southern Labrador Regional Airport, marine base freight rates and passenger fares, as well as marine services. These reports will be made available to the advisory committee, and in the coming weeks will also be accessible to the general public on the Transportation and Works Web site. These studies will eventually feed into a greater Labrador Transportation Strategy. The first meeting of the committee is expected to take place within the next 30 days. Media contact: David Salter, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 691-3577 ADVISORY COMMITTEE BIOGRAPHIES Carol Burden, Port Hope Simpson Ms. Burden has studied business management, hotel and motel management and has attended Memorial University and Mount St. Vincent University. Ms. Burden is currently working on a tourism and hospitality management degree. Richard (Rick) Lewis,
Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mr. Lewis completed a technical diploma in surveying at the Cabot Institute of Applied Arts and Technology in St. John�s. Janice Pike, Happy Valley-Goose Bay A graduate of Keyin College - with a diploma in business management - Ms. Pike has worked with the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, which provided an opportunity to gain exposure to municipal, provincial, industry and economic development issues in Labrador. Ms. Pike is a member of various committees and boards including: the Labrador Lake Melville Tourism Association, the Central Labrador Economic Development Board, the Labrador Craft Marketing Agency and the 2006 Labrador Winter Games. Jim Farrell, Wabush Mr. Farrell retired from Wabush Mines in 1991 and previously worked as a teacher and with the Northern Transportation Company in Edmonton. A member of various service clubs and fraternal organizations, Mr. Farrell is also a board member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities Pension and Benefits Program and a board member of the Municipal Training and Development Corporation. Myles O�Brien, L�Anse au Loup Mr. O�Brien is very active in his community, serving as a town councilor, a member of the L�Anse au Loup Harbour Authority, the St. Paul�s Elementary School Council and a volunteer with the local minor hockey association. Mr. O�Brien is also a former member of the local volunteer fire department. Bridget Andersen,
Makkovik Ms. Andersen is a former teacher, fisherwoman (operating her own boat and gear), dental assistant, president of the Torngat Fish Producers Co-operative, personal care attendant at the Grenfell Regional Health Services clinic, and bookkeeper and office manager at the Adlavik Inn. Ms. Andersen has been a volunteer with the local recreation, crime prevention and recycling committees, the hospital auxiliary, the local craft council and recently organized a community composting group. Wade Dyson, Cartwright Over the years, Mr. Dyson has served his community as town councilor, deputy mayor, chair of the local recreation committee, director of the local development association, president of the local fisherman�s committee and training officer with the army cadet corp. Jim Lyall, Nain Mr. Jim Lyall is a budget analyst with the Nunatsiavut Government and an active advocate for his community in which he was lived since 1956. He has served his community as mayor and town councilor, chair of the North Coast Transportation Committee (a government advisory group for transportation issues on the north coast of Labrador) and as a member of various committees of the Labrador Inuit Association. Ben Michel, Sheshatshiu 2006 02 27 3:15 p.m. |
|
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 |