The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs:

Provincial Government Advances Waste Management Strategy

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this Honourable House to highlight the considerable progress we have made in advancing the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In May 2007, the Provincial Government announced the implementation of a multi-year Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy to ensure effective and efficient management of solid waste in Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, we have invested a total of $147 million in the strategy including $84.5 million from the Provincial Government and $62.5 million from federal Gas Tax funding.

Mr. Speaker, in the last two years, we have seen tremendous success throughout the entire province. The Central Newfoundland Regional Waste Management Facility, located at Norris Arm, was opened through a total investment of $64.6 million. A further investment of $16.5 million this year will fund the construction of a Materials Recovery Facility which will be built at the Norris Arm site and allow residents of the central region to begin recycling.

Also, $3 million in funding was announced in the spring of 2013 for the construction of a transfer station in the eastern region. This new facility, which is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2014, will accept residential and commercial material for transfer to the Regional Integrated Waste Management Facility located at Robin Hood Bay.

Mr. Speaker, imperative to the successful implementation of the strategy is the setup of Regional Service Boards to administer waste management programs across the province. In the spring of 2013, the department announced two new Regional Service Boards for the Burin and Bonavista regions. With these additions, there are now six regional service boards in place across the province.

In Labrador, we have worked with the towns of Wabush and Labrador City to establish a well-managed landfill for that area. In Happy Valley–Goose Bay we are working with the regional committees on the design of waste management solutions. In southern Labrador, the regional committee has received recommendations from a consultant and is now beginning planning for a centralized landfill for that area. Finally, on the North Coast, we are working with the regional committee to seek a consultant to begin a review of potential solutions in that area.

Mr. Speaker, my department remains committed to the delivery of waste management services across the province. We will continue to work with our Regional Service Boards and communities as we proceed towards full implementation of the strategy by 2020.

Thank you.

2013 11 21                                     1:45 p.m.