The Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, expressed concern today following a statement from Nunatsiavut Government President Jim Lyall that accused the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador of ignoring the needs of Inuit communities.

Minister Pottle highlighted several initiatives the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pursuing within Inuit communities through the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador.

"We have contributed $590,000 for the ongoing restoration of the Moravian Mission complex in Hebron and $160,000 to the Okalakatiget Society for communications infrastructure," said Minister Pottle. "We are working with the Nunatsiavut Government on the assessment of options for the Nain airstrip, which we advanced to the Federal Government as a funding priority at the Atlantic Infrastructure Summit in December 2008. We are helping to distribute more than $2 million in funding to the Nunatsiavut Government for Aboriginal housing. We are continuing to invest in new equipment and trail improvements for the network of winter transportation trails in the region."

Minister Pottle noted that the Inuit communities, while receiving federal infrastructure funding for housing, water and sewer and other projects as part of the Inuit Land Claims Agreement, are also eligible to apply for infrastructure funding in the same manner as all other communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Government encourages the Inuit community governments to make the appropriate applications for funding as they require.

Minister Pottle pointed out that Inuit communities could have also benefitted from new federal stimulus spending for Aboriginal people, but have been largely left out. "Premier Williams and I both made representation on behalf of Labrador Inuit to the Federal Government prior to their recent budget," said the minister. "However, much of the new federal spending is limited to First Nations on reserve, and new northern spending is limited to the Territories. Inuit in both Labrador and Quebec are therefore unable to access any of the $600 million in new funding for housing on reserve and in the north, nor any of the $515 million in new funding for on-reserve infrastructure. I have called upon the Federal Government to correct this inequity."

"Along with infrastructure development, during this time of economic uncertainty, developing the economy of the north coast of Labrador is a priority for this government," said Minister Pottle, noting the January 29 announcement of the improved development agreement with Vale Inco, which included a new commitment that the second stage of the feasibility study for underground mining at Voisey�s Bay be completed by June 30, 2011. The minister also noted that an ongoing study into alternative energies announced last autumn could create development opportunities for the region.

The Provincial Government has made numerous other investments to improve the quality of life of residents of coastal Labrador. "This government listens to the concerns of the people about the cost of living in remote communities," said Minister Pottle. "We have responded with funding enhancements and program improvements to the Air Foodlift Subsidy, an energy rebate for rural isolated residential customers, enhancements to the home heating rebate program for coastal Labrador residents, an energy efficiency community pilot project, enhanced travel subsidy programs � the list goes on."

"This government is investing in Newfoundland and Labrador like no other government in history," the minister said. "Through the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador we will continue to build and develop infrastructure, enhance programs and services, and improve the lives of all the people of Labrador, and that includes the people of the north coast."

- 30 -

Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca