Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
April 29, 2009The following statement was
issued by the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. It
was also read in the House of Assembly:
Northern Strategic Plan Improving
the Lives of Labradorians
I rise today to provide this Honourable House with an
update on the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador. This five
year, dynamic, cross-departmental plan provides a clear focus of the
Williams Government�s pledge to provide a better future for all
Labradorians.
The Northern Strategic Plan was released on April 20, 2007 and is
now in its third year. The plan is considered a living document that
will evolve with the changing needs of Labradorians and as new ideas
take shape.
The plan originally started with 145 commitments and a total expected
investment of some $300 million. I am pleased to report to my colleagues
that as work begins in the plan�s third year, the commitments have
steadily grown to 191, resulting in some expected $430 million in
spending in Labrador over the life of the plan.
Since the introduction of the Northern Strategic Plan, we have
seen unprecedented spending throughout Labrador. In Budget 2009, with a
record investment of $135 million to improve infrastructure, program and
services, this government clearly recognizes that Labrador priorities
are provincial priorities. Some major examples include: $19 million for
a new francophone school in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, a new K-12 school in
Port Hope Simpson, which has gone to tender for site development, and a
new K-12 school in L�Anse au Loup, where tenders have closed and bids
are being assessed; $9.5 million for construction of the new College of
the North Atlantic campus in Labrador West, which has been recently
called for tender; $4.7 million for the continued funding for the new
health care facility in Labrador West; and, $2 million for the
construction of a new pre-trial detention centre for women and youth in
Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
As well, we continue to make every effort to improve infrastructure and
program and service delivery in our remote coastal communities. This
includes enhancements to the winter snowmobile trail system through the
Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy and ongoing monitoring
of our Air Foodlift Subsidy to ensure people have access to
nutritious foods at reasonable prices.
The Northern Strategic Plan is growing and changing to meet the
needs of the people of Labrador. To monitor progress, my department has
developed an exhaustive process to gauge results. As well, in support of
accountability and transparency, department officials will produce a
detailed mid-term report that will be followed with stakeholder
visitations throughout Labrador to illustrate what is being accomplished
through the plan.
This administration is working diligently to achieve the long-term
vision of the Northern Strategic Plan to advance the social and
economic agenda of Labrador. Through consultation and strategic
investment, we will continue to improve the lives of all Labradorians.
2009 04 29 3:45 p.m.