Backgrounder - Budget 2013 Investments in Labrador

The following investments, including those featured in other Budget 2013 announcements, continue to build upon the Northern Strategic Plan and to advance key priorities for Labrador.

Labrador Affairs Office
The Provincial Government recognizes the unique challenges faced by Labradorians – particularly those who live in isolated coastal communities. Budget 2013 provides the following investments through the Labrador Affairs Office:

• $351,000 to continue the Labrador Transportation Grooming Subsidy which maintains a quality winter snowmobile trail system connecting otherwise isolated coastal Labrador communities during the winter months;
• $100,000 in operational funding for the Combined Councils of Labrador; and,
• $80,000 to continue the Air Foodlift Subsidy which helps offset air freight costs on fresh milk and perishable food items shipped to isolated Labrador communities.

Transportation and Works
Budget 2013 provides more than $39 million to complete the last full season of paving of Phase I of the Trans Labrador Highway and, through a joint federal-provincial multi-year commitment of $85 million, work is expected to begin this construction season to widen and pave Phases II and III. Since 2004, approximately $450 million has been invested to build the Trans Labrador Highway.

The Provincial Government is also advancing a request for proposals to award a contract for the provision of a 15-year comprehensive passenger, vehicle and freight ferry service, beginning in April 2016, for both the Strait of Belle Isle and the north coast of Labrador.

Health and Community Services
The Provincial Government continues to invest in key areas of health care for the residents of Labrador recognizing both the current and future needs of the region. Funding through Budget 2013 complements recent investments in infrastructure and equipment and includes:

• $14.4 million for the continued construction of the Labrador West Health Centre; and,
• $500,000 to begin planning for the extension to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay long-term care facility, a result of the Hebron Benefits Agreement.

Education
Budget 2013 provides $3.9 million to rebuild classroom and administrative spaces at William Gillett Academy in Charlottetown.

Environment and Conservation
Budget 2013 provides just over $3 million to support ongoing environmental remediation at the former US military site in Hopedale. This funding marks the third year of a three-year funding commitment of $6.3 million.

Funding of $382,000 is also allocated to complete the final year of the three-year Labrador Caribou Initiative valued at $1.9 million. This initiative is aimed at better understanding the reasons for, and mitigating to the greatest extent possible, the recent decline of the George River Caribou Herd. A five-year hunting ban was implemented for this herd in January.

Municipal Affairs
The Provincial Government continues to invest in key infrastructure projects which will benefit people across the Labrador region. Budget 2013 provides $4 million to continue work towards the construction of a new arena in Makkovik and $1.5 million to continue work toward a multi-purpose facility for Hopedale as part of a total three-year investment in both facilities of $12.8 million.

Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Budget 2013 includes an investment of $730,000 in the Labrador Travel Subsidy Program, which creates hundreds of opportunities each year for Labrador athletes and sports teams to travel to the island for competitions and training. Since the release of the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), approximately $4.4 million has been invested in this program to benefit athletes in Labrador.

Child, Youth and Family Services
Funding of $380,000 is provided to continue with the purchase of staff housing in Labrador to build upon the recruitment and retention of staff in the region.

Women’s Policy Office
Budget 2013 includes $200,000 for the Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program and $125,000 to continue the Inuit Women’s Capacity Building Project. Funding support for Aboriginal women’s organizations in 2013-14 will continue to assist women in Aboriginal communities with achieving sustainable livelihoods and connect them to Provincial Government programs and services that enhance their quality of life.

In addition to investments outlined above, Budget 2013 also provides funding of $2.1 million to reduce the cost of electricity for residents and businesses in diesel-powered communities on the coast of Labrador as committed in the Northern Strategic Plan.

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2013 03 26                               3:35 p.m.