Transportation and Works
June 1, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works:

Construction Education Month Highlights Achievements in Construction Industry

Mr. Speaker, I stand in this Honourable House to proclaim the month of June to be Construction Education Month. I was pleased to be joined by Ms. Rhonda Neary, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association, and Mr. Ed LeGrow, Chair of the Board of the Association, as I signed a proclamation to officially recognize the contributions and achievements of the construction industry to provincial architecture, infrastructure, and economic growth. Construction Education Month is also an opportunity to highlight educational programs, such as Gold Seal Certification, which is supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association.

Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government continues to partner with stakeholders in the industry such as the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association. We are fortunate to have many skilled tradespersons in our province, who bring their experience and expertise to the industry. They support the growth of the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we all reap the benefits of their hard work and dedication to their craft.

Through Budget 2015, our government is investing over $660 million on the construction and maintenance of health care facilities, long-term care homes, schools, transportation, roads and municipal infrastructure projects. This funding provides services that are important to the people of the province and generates employment and economic growth.

Mr. Speaker, Construction Education Month is an opportunity to recognize innovation in environmental and energy efficiency and to support building practices that will have a positive and enduring impact on the province. There are many examples of such standards being met by this government Mr. Speaker such as the new Long-Term Health Care Facility in St. John’s, in new schools being built throughout the province, as well as at the Corner Brook City Hall, the MUN and Grenfell Student Residence Buildings, the Summit Centre in Mount Pearl, and the Natural Resources Building in St. John’s. In addition, my department is working toward BOMA BESt certification for two buildings this year - the Motor Registration Building in Mount Pearl and the Provincial Building in Grand Falls-Windsor.

I hope that everyone in the industry will benefit from an informative and productive Construction Education Month. As a government, we look forward to maintaining a positive and lasting relationship with the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who work in the construction industry.

Thank you.

2015 06 01                              1:55 p.m.