"After a year of unkept promises, the people of Labrador are feeling left out of the decision making of this government," said Jones. "The Premier promised to hire a Deputy Minister for Labrador, open a Premier’s Office in Goose Bay and place a senior Natural Resources official in Labrador West. We have not seen significant movement on any of these promises.

"Government actually advertised for a Deputy Minister to be stationed in Labrador several months ago, yet no appointment has been announced to date. I would like to know why government went through the application process so long ago and have failed to move forward with filling this important position. It is unfair that issues of importance to Labrador are being handled by politicians and officials from the Island.

"Labradorians have no voice at the cabinet table or within the higher levels of the public service when issues are being discussed. For example, Voisey’s Bay is in process of converting from a construction to a mining project, efforts to secure a future for 5 Wing Goose Bay are at a pivotal stage, monies from the Labrador Transportation Initiative are being spent and Lower Churchill development talks have restarted.

"This government has not been sensitive to the needs of Labrador since they took office over a year ago. The Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs was abolished, the Voisey’s Bay Monitor was fired, the ferry service disrupted, tourism negatively affected and general service reductions have taken place across the board. This is not evidence of a government that recognizes our needs."