Hon. Tom Lush, MHA
Speaking Notes
Minister of Intergovernmental
Affairs
and Government House Leader
March 31, 2001
Directions North: Labrador in the New Century
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Introduction
- Thank you for the invitation to speak to you
here tonight. It�s the first time I�ve had the opportunity to speak to
such a diverse group of people in this "Big Land" of Labrador, and
it�s a pleasure to be here.
- Since 1970, and every 10 years after that,
this conference has focused on Labrador as a northern region, its distinct
identity and its relationship to the circumpolar world in terms of its
benefits and contributions.
- I am proud of the fact that Newfoundland and
Labrador is the only province in Atlantic Canada that truly has a northern
region. I�m particularly pleased to welcome our northern cousins from
Norway and the Komi Republic of Russia.
New Department
- Government is committed to ensuring the people
of Labrador share in the development of the region's resources. That's one
of the main reasons why we created the new Department of Labrador and
Aboriginal Affairs.
- With social and economic activity reaching new
levels in Labrador, we felt it was not only necessary, but appropriate, to
establish this department. It will administer, co-ordinate and provide
leadership for government programming in the region, and advance and assess
development opportunities, funding agreements and social issues.
- The department is also responsible for
negotiating, and implementing, comprehensive land-claims and self-government
agreements with the Labrador Inuit and the Innu Nation. It will act as the
co-ordinating agency for government in dealing with all matters of concern
to Aboriginal people.
- I�d like to acknowledge the minister of
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, Ernie McLean, as well as Torngat Mountains
MHA Wally Andersen (Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs), and
Cartwright-L�Anse au Clair MHA Yvonne Jones (Parliamentary Secretary to
the minister of Health and Community Services - Children�s Interests).
- All three have worked tirelessly to promote
Labrador�s interest, and are making sure the concerns of Labradorians are
heard.
Land Claims
- Government is committed to finalizing land
claims and self-government agreements with both the Labrador Inuit
Association and the Innu Nation.
- Successful conclusion of land claims will
contribute to the economic and social well-being of Aboriginal peoples,
other Labradorians and Newfoundlanders.
- Therefore, it is imperative that we ensure any
land claims settlement reached with the Inuit and Innu are fair to all
Labradorians - aboriginal and non-aboriginal.
- During this Conference, I am told there was an
engaging discussion on the topic of "Beyond Land Claims". Indeed,
as Toby Andersen noted during these sessions, aboriginal issues are a part
of virtually every topic discussed at Directions North this week. Everyone
recognizes the need for all of us - governments, aboriginal groups,
Labradorians - to work cooperatively for the future of this region.
- That is why the Province is working with the
LIA to conclude a land claim agreement.
- That is why the Province is working with the
Innu Nation to get land claims negotiations back on track, to help with
Registration under the Indian Act, and to address the social problems facing
Innu communities.
- That is why the Province is working with the
Labrador Metis Nation to help them access government programs and services,
and to help them achieve their community economic development objectives.
- That is why we are listening to the views of
all residents of Labrador, to ensure arrangements with aboriginal groups are
in the best interests of all.
Voisey's Bay
- Voisey's Bay, I understand, was one of the
major topics discussed this week. Earlier this month, we announced that we
were interested in re-opening discussions with Inco in an attempt to get the
project moving.
- We realize the importance of this project to
the province, particularly to the people of Labrador. Let me be clear that
we will negotiate a deal that maximizes the benefits associated with the
processing of nickel concentrate to a final nickel product in this province.
- My colleague Wally Andersen has spoken very
clearly, both in the House of Assembly and at this conference, about the
irony of having such a rich resource in the midst of a region that has such
high levels of unemployment and social problems. Voisey�s Bay can help
address these problems, by providing the jobs, spin-offs and resources to
improve the standard of living for north coast residents.
- The concerns, views and aspirations of the
people of Northern Labrador must be considered as we attempt to move this
project forward. Let me assure you - you are being heard, and you will not
be forgotten. Your MHA will make sure of that. And so will Ernie McLean.
Mines and Energy
- The Department of Mines an Energy continues to
document and assess the mineral potential of Labrador. It actively supports
and promotes mineral exploration and development throughout the region.
- Government has also provided support to
Shabogamo Mining and Exploration, which has led to the development of a new
silica mine, and hopefully a smelter, in Labrador West.
- One of the most exciting mining ventures
taking place in Labrador involves the Labrador Inuit. The dimension stone
industry at Ten Mile Bay near Nain is the first Aboriginal owned and
operated mining project in Canada. It now employs more than 60 people.
- I understand Ben Saimat and Fred Hall gave an
entertaining presentation on this project at Friday�s session.
- The Labrador Inuit Development Corporation is
developing a trial quarry, over the next two years, at Igiak Bay, 20
kilometres south of Nain. The project is expected to create 25 new jobs in a
region that has been adversely affected by the downturn in the groundfish
industry.
- LIDC is also getting into value-added
processing. I understand a new stone plant will be opened in Hopedale next
year that will produce a number of products using dimensional stone from
their quarries.
- The province�s mining industry remains
strong, mainly because of iron ore from Labrador West.
- Production of iron ore in 2000 totaled 22.3
million tonnes, the highest level since 1981 and an increase of 16.9 per
cent from 1999.
- Higher commodity prices boosted the shipment
value of iron ore by 17.9 per cent to over $900 million.
- $900 million - let�s put that in some
context. The entire fishery of Newfoundland and Labrador, which has for
centuries been the backbone of our economy, only last year exceeded a total
value of $1 billion. The iron ore shipments from Labrador City and Wabush
are almost as great as the value of our entire fishery. This is something
that is all too often overlooked.
- Government recognizes the importance of
Labrador West, and the people who live there, to the province�s economic
well-being.
Lower Churchill
- Another major development that will have huge
positive impacts on all of Labrador, and the province as a whole, is the
Lower Churchill power project.
- This project represents a major untapped
resource in Labrador, offering the opportunity to develop a significant
block of competitive energy without causing major harm to Labrador's
environment.
- The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
has been trying to develop this resource for a number of years.
- The Lower Churchill will result in significant
benefits to Labrador, including a major block of recall power to address the
future, long-term energy needs for businesses and residential and industrial
users in the region.
- This multi-billion dollar project will be a
major employer of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and provide significant
revenues to the province for years to come. We will continue to explore ways
and means to move this project ahead.
- It is hard to believe that, in a region with
such abundant hydro-electric resources, many communities do not have access
to cheap power.
- One of Minister McLean�s priorities for his
new Department is to explore how to reduce the high cost of electricity on
the coast of Labrador.
Transportation
- Transportation issues often dominate the
public agenda in Labrador, and this has been no less true at this
Conference. Government is committed to improving Labrador�s transportation
needs.
Trans-Labrador Highway
- The completion of Phase I of the
Trans-Labrador Highway, from Labrador City/Wabush to Happy Valley-Goose Bay,
has had a significant impact on the entire region.
- Progress continues on Phase II of the road
between Red Bay and Cartwright. As announced in last week�s budget,
government will spend $43 million on this section of the highway this year.
- About 400 people will be directly employed
during Phase II, while others will benefit from spin-off jobs. This vital
section of the highway is slated to be completed in the summer of 2003.
- The road from Mary's Harbour to Red Bay was
completed last fall, and access to Charlottetown, Port Hope Simpson and St.
Lewis should be completed by the end of this year.
- The completion of this section of the highway
will open up new opportunities in the region, by diversifying an economy
that has predominately been dependent on the fishery.
- Just yesterday, the Southeastern Labrador
Transportation Committee presented a report to Government on the future
transportation requirements of that region after Phase II is completed.
- I wish to congratulate the Committee on its
work and forward planning as we prepare for the changes the road will bring.
Government intends to provide a quick response to the Committee�s
recommendations.
- Government is committed to completing Phase
III of the Trans-Labrador Highway, linking Happy Valley-Goose Bay to
Cartwright. But we can't go it alone. We need Ottawa's support to complete
this section of the road.
Marine Services
- Government will make strategic investments in
infrastructure to support development opportunities, including improvements
to the wharf in Cartwright. This will position Cartwright as a
trans-shipment centre, facilitate the development of a forest products
industry, and provide berthing space for fishing vessels.
- Last year, we entered into a four-year, $17.8
million contract for the MV Apollo to provide a ferry service on the Strait
of Belle Isle.
- While there have been some initial problems,
the Apollo has been generally well received. It is able to accommodate more
travelers, tractor trailers and heavy equipment traffic.
- Government is taking steps to improve the
service. We have committed $1.5 million to install a mechanical ramp at St.
Barbe for the efficient loading and offloading of vehicles.
- During the peak operating months of July and
August, passenger traffic increased 13 per cent in 2000, compared to 1999,
while vehicle traffic - a significant portion of which was tractor trailers
and heavy equipment - increased by 16 per cent.
- On the Labrador coast, services continue to be
provided by the Sir Robert Bond, the Northern Ranger, the Astron and the
Nada.
Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative
- A total of $6 million to improve roads in
northern Labrador is part of the Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic
Initiative, announced last year, for the communities of Nain, Hopedale,
Makkovik, Rigolet and Postville.
- Also included in this initiative is $7.7
million for housing and $9 million for water and sewer. The initiative shows
government�s commitment to try and help communities with some of the
greatest needs in the province.
- Under the initiative, 65 new houses will be
built and about 125 upgrades will be made to existing homes.
- Government recognizes that Labrador's
long-term economic and social potential will only be realized by improving
infrastructure, such as roads and water and sewer systems.
Health
- The opening of the new $30 million Labrador
Health Centre, here in Happy Valley-Goose Bay last fall, represents
Government�s commitment to improving the quality of health care throughout
the region.
- Many of you saw this new building for the
first time on Thursday during the official launch of the Smart Labrador
Initiative. The 26-bed facility provides primary acute care, general
surgery, obstetrics and some pediatric services.
- I should also note Inco�s contribution as
full partners in this project. They have demonstrated they can be good
corporate citizens.
- As announced in this year�s budget, a viable
housing option for seniors in southeastern Labrador, to be operated by the
Battle Harbour Assisted Living Corporation, will be established in Mary's
Harbour, as a result of a $1.4 million contribution from government.
- The facility will provide the area's aging
population with the option of staying in their home community, rather than
moving outside of the area.
- I also want to recognize the support of Dr.
Elliott Miller and the International Grenfell Association for their
contribution in getting this project started, as well as their overall
commitment to improving health care in northern Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The Forteau Community Health Centre will be
expanded this year to provide additional chronic care accommodations for the
elderly.
- A new nursing clinic will be opened in
Natuashish (Sango Bay) to replace the existing facility in Davis Inlet.
- Capital funding will be provided by the
federal government with ongoing operational costs supported by the province.
Health Labrador Corporation has entered into a similar arrangement with the
Band Council in Sheshatshiu and the new clinic there.
- The Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital
in Labrador City will undergo renovations to its birthing suite, and will
also see its old nursery converted into a modern tub room. Renovations will
eventually be carried out at the facility�s laboratory.
- New mammography equipment has also been placed
at Labrador Health Centre and Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital. The
equipment was purchased with funds raised through community-based groups and
will be operated and maintained by hospital staff.
Education
- Government is committed to building a new
Grade 7 to Level III school in Happy Valley-Goose Bay that suits the needs
of the community. Concerns have been raised, and they have been heard. The
new Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs is working with the
Department of Education and the Labrador School Board to find a solution.
- Children and teaching staff in Hopedale,
Rigolet, Nain and Norman Bay are enjoying the benefits of new schools. But
what about after high school?
- Government is sensitive to the needs of
students living in rural, isolated communities in our province when it comes
to furthering their education beyond high school.
- For students, affordability is a critical
element of educational opportunities.
- Over the past two years, we have provided
funding so that Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic
could implement a tuition freeze.
- Tuition fees at Memorial are already the
lowest in Atlantic Canada.
- This year we are providing $3.3 million in
additional funding to MUN to enable a 10 per cent reduction in tuition for
the new academic year commencing in September.
- Funding will be provided to enable students at
the Faculty of Medicine, the Marine Institute and the College of the North
Atlantic to continue to benefit from the tuition freeze.
- Our public college fees, already substantially
lower than Memorial, are the second lowest in Atlantic Canada.
- Too many students graduate with debt levels
that place a great burden on their futures. We already spend $6.1 million
annually to assist students with high debt loads who successfully complete
their academic programs on time.
- The Student Aid Review Advisory Committee will
be making recommendations for our consideration later this year. We have to
take time to consider this issue in consultation with stakeholders and plan
to come forward with further relief measures in due course.
- This will require reform of the Student Aid
Program. We will also press the federal government to initiate similar
student loan reforms.
- These revisions will take into account the
specific challenges faced by students who must leave their communities in
order to pursue a post-secondary education and who commonly have higher debt
levels.
- Dr. Axel Meisen of Memorial University, I am
told, spoke eloquently on the challenges facing rural students of
post-secondary institutions. He is providing leadership on this and other
issues.
- During the Directions North Conference, many
participants expressed their desire for more and more relevant education and
research for Labrador.
- I am therefore pleased to announce, on behalf
of the Premier, an annual grant of $100,000 will be given to the University
to create the position of Labrador Associate at its Labrador Institute. This
position will bring to bear the University�s scholarly capabilities on the
needs and opportunities of the people of Labrador.
Training
- With projects like Voisey�s Bay and the
Lower Churchill on the horizon, the College of the North Atlantic is playing
a leadership role in meeting the needs of industry and to preparing people
for potential job opportunities in the region.
- An example of this leadership is the new
Provincial Mining Technology Centre, located at the Labrador West campus.
- Originally designed to offer workplace
training and upgrading for those employed in the mining industry, the centre
recently expanded to house the new three-year Mining and Mineral Processing
program, "Employee of the Future Program", to ensure the renewal
of a skilled mining labour force as current employees reach retirement.
- The centre was funded by the college, Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, the Canada-Newfoundland Labour Market
Development Association and by in-kind donations from the Iron Ore Company
of Canada.
- The college provides diverse training for the
wide-ranging demands of the region's resource-based industries. By forming
partnerships with government, industry and the community, the college
continues to offer courses designed to meet the needs of the mining,
fishing, forestry, tourism and road construction industries, among others.
Recruitment and Retention
- Bob Simms of the College spoke today about the
need to address shortfalls regarding the recruitment and retention of
professionals in Labrador, particularly as it relates to teachers, doctors,
nurses and social workers.
- Government recognizes the importance of
filling these positions, and efforts are ongoing to address the problem,
such as incentives for attracting nurses and teachers. This is a priority
for Minister McLean and his new Department, who will take a lead role in
developing a plan of action.
Fishery
- The province has taken positive steps towards
expanding the fish processing sector in the region to ensure fish products
landed in Labrador are processed in Labrador.
- Last year, government, through the FRAM-ED
federal-provincial cost-shared agreement, helped provide some $300,000 to
improve the water supply to the Black Tickle fish plant. This enabled a
private company, Labrador Sea Products, to turn the former groundfish plant
into a modern crab-processing facility.
- The initiative created badly needed jobs in
one of the areas most affected by the downturn in the groundfishery.
- Similarly, about $2.3 million was provided
under a federal-provincial agreement to improve the water supply at
Charlottetown, to allow a new shrimp plant to open there next month,
eventually employing about 120 workers.
- One of the key issues for the development of
the fishery in coastal Labrador is access to fish resources off the coast.
The Province supports the principle of adjacency in the allocation of those
resources. We will continue to lobby the federal government to ensure stocks
off Labrador are harvested and processed to the benefit of people in
Labrador.
Forestry
- The single greatest source of underutilized
timber in the province is in Labrador.
- Government will actively pursue development of
a forest products industry in Labrador in consultation with local
communities and Aboriginal groups. Development will proceed in a manner
which provides maximum economic and employment benefits to Labrador
residents.
- Priority will be given to private sector
sawmill development opportunities along the southeast coast of Labrador.
- And emphasis will also be given to industry
development opportunities in the Goose Bay area through a recently signed
forest management and development MOU with the Innu Nation.
Tourism
- With major investments in infrastructure, like
construction of the Trans-Labrador Highway and development of a winter
snowmobile trail system, Labrador's tourism industry is poised for
significant growth. Snowmobile trails were a hot topic at the Conference,
and some of you may have had an opportunity to enjoy a snowmobile ride
during what was a large Labrador day today.
- Phase I of the plan to develop a snowmobile
trail system in Labrador is being completed at a cost of $3.5 million. An
additional $2 million was recently announced for Phase II.
- Upon completion of Phase II, there will be an
integrated trail system that will connect all regions within Labrador and
allow access to the Quebec system.
- This network of snowmobile trails, which falls
under the direction of the Labrador Winter Trails Inc., is the basis for the
development of a new snowmobile tourism industry. Labrador Winter Trails
Inc. should be commended for the progress it has been able to make to
develop this industry in the region.
- The five Labrador tourism associations have
come together and reactivated Destination Labrador.
- In the early 1990s, Destination Labrador
played a key role in raising Labrador�s profile. The new organization will
focus on destination planning, product development, regional marketing and
inter-agency communication.
- Dr. Hans Rollmann gave an entertaining speech
on Thursday on the history of the Moravian Church on the north coast. Next
year will be the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the
Moravians in Labrador. In connection with that, and with your support and
input, we will be planning a major celebration in 2002 that will focus on
Labrador.
Low-Level Flying
- In a few short weeks, the skies over Happy
Valley-Goose Bay will once again be filled with activity with the start of
the 2001 low-level flying season.
- Government is committed to ensure the
continued development of military training at Canadian Forces Base Goose
Bay.
- A ministerial committee was formed last year
to help in the development of the military training product. Since then,
several provincial ministers, including myself, and officials have held
numerous meetings with the Department of National Defence (DND) in an effort
to enhance current training activities at the base, and to discuss new
military training opportunities in the region.
- The base has a huge positive impact on the
province�s economy, with low-level flying contributing over $90 million to
the Gross Domestic Product in 1999.
- Planned upgrading by the federal government,
including a new airfield lighting system to replace an old and outdated one,
is welcome news.
- Last year, the Italian Air Force joined
Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in conducting long-term
military flight training at the base.
- This year, we�re pleased and excited to
welcome the French Air Force, which will, for the first time, conduct
low-level exercises utilizing Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
- As well, Belgium and Norway will participate
in the F-16 Fighter Weapons Training Program being conducted by the Royal
Netherlands Air Force.
- The province will continue to work with DND
and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay to attract additional Allies to
Labrador.
Investing in Labrador
- As noted in the budget, there are several
initiatives of particular relevance to Labrador.
- There is $800,000 for incentive bonuses to
attract teachers to coastal Labrador communities.
- Funding has been set aside for the province to
participate in the national Aboriginal Cadet Development Program, which
would see aboriginal youth receive skills upgrading as preparation for RCMP
training.
- The Labrador Travel Subsidy was increased by
$180,000 in the middle of the last fiscal year. Government has decided to
maintain the subsidy at its new level of $427,000, permitting students
living in Labrador to increase their participation in athletic tournaments
throughout the province.
Conclusion
- Government is committed to ensuring the people
of Labrador are the first to benefit from the region�s resources.
- The successful conclusion of land claims will
open the door to future economic developments and opportunities.
- Government, the Combined Councils, Regional
Economic Development Boards, aboriginal and community groups must continue
to work together for the betterment of Labrador and its people.
|