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Foote questions future of Regional Economic Development Boards Still no strategy on rural development March 9, 2005
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Judy Foote, Opposition critic for the Department of Innovation, Trade and
Rural Development and MHA for the District of Grand Bank, is questioning the
future of the Regional Economic Development Boards (REDBs) in the province
in light of today’s announcement by Minister Dunderdale establishing nine
regional councils and one provincial council for rural areas of the
province. "I question whether the establishment of these new regional councils means the end of the REDBs in the province," said Ms. Foote. "It certainly appears that these new councils will be doing the same job as the REDBs. Today’s announcement means either a duplication of services and an extra layer of bureaucracy or the elimination of REDBs in the province. It is interesting to note that there is no mention of the REDBs in the minister’s press release. This is telling indeed. How can you talk about regional economic development and the need to include those involved without mentioning the province’s REDBs and the hundreds of volunteers who have worked tirelessly trying to make a difference unless, of course, their time is limited? "It should be blatantly obvious to everyone that the current government has no plan for economic development in the rural areas of our province as promised during the election. They are in the second year of their mandate and are now recycling an idea that has been around for years. Regional Economic Development Boards were introduced to serve the same purpose as these new regional councils. What the minister announced today is an approach that has been in place for several years and being carried out by the REDBs. So much for a new approach and a new vision as promised by the government when looking to get elected during the last provincial election. Minister Dunderdale has taken an existing approach to economic development and packaged it as a new initiative for rural Newfoundland and Labrador. "Today’s announcement will only raise more uncertainty for rural communities in the province. How long will REDBs exist after these councils are established? If they continue to exist, why duplicate their mandate with the establishment of nine regional councils at additional cost to the taxpayer? Given the situation that exists in the rural areas of this province, government should have already implemented the plan it boasted about during the election and now be working with the REDBs and other community leaders throughout our province. Unfortunately, there remains no concrete plan for rural development and, contrary to their claim to have a vision, this government has failed miserably to date to help develop any new and unique initiatives for development opportunities."
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