Executive Council
December 31, 2013

Committed to the Social and Economic Well-Being of Aboriginal People

Important Milestones Achieved in 2013 Supporting the Social and Economic Well-Being of Aboriginal People

Significant achievements were made in 2013 as the Provincial Government continues to advocate for the social and economic well-being of Aboriginal people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Important milestones were reached this year as the Provincial Government continues to support activities related to Aboriginal affairs including achievements in formalized Aboriginal consultations, a renewed fiscal financing agreement and a self-government agreement in principle.”
- The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

The Provincial Government published an Aboriginal Consultation Policy on Land and Resource Development Decisions in April 2013. The policy helps clarify government’s expectations and requirements during Aboriginal consultation processes and clearly establishes the roles and responsibilities of all parties including the Provincial Government, Aboriginal organizations and project proponents. The ultimate goal is to help ensure that resource development decisions minimize, or where practical eliminate, potentially adverse impacts on asserted Aboriginal rights.

A renewal of the Fiscal Financing Agreement among the Nunatsiavut Government, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Government of Canada, was authorized in March 2013. Under this five-year agreement (April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017), the Government of Canada provides funding to support Labrador Inuit self-government and for the implementation and administration of federal programs and services by the Nunatsiavut Government. Also, under this agreement the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador renewed its commitment to negotiate agreements with the Nunatsiavut Government to transfer the responsibility for the delivery of specific provincial programs and services by the Nunatsiavut Government to all residents of Inuit communities.

On November 8, 2013 the Miawpukek First Nation, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada signed a Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle, marking the beginning of negotiations towards a Self-Government Final Agreement that will provide Miawpukek First Nation with greater flexibility and control in the development and delivery of its programs and services to its members living in Conne River.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• An Aboriginal Consultation Policy was published in April to guide and facilitate consultation on land and resource development decisions in Labrador.
• Aboriginal consultations were carried out appropriately throughout the Environmental Assessments of the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project and the Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project.
• A five-year fiscal financing agreement was authorized in March among the Nunatsiavut Government and the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.
• The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, hosted a joint Cabinet meeting between the provincial Cabinet, and President Sarah Leo and the Nunatsiavut Executive Council in May of this year.
• A Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle was signed with Miawpukek First Nation in November marking the beginning of negotiations towards a Self-Government Final Agreement.

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Media contact:
Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca
709-729-3015, 631-9505

2013 12 31                                        11:15 a.m.