News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Jones presents Labrador issues to pre-budget consultations

November 10, 2005

"I attended the session in Happy Valley-Goose Bay yesterday to reiterate the Labrador position on a number of issues being ignored by the Williams government," said Jones. "There are serious health, education, transportation and infrastructure issues that I feel are being neglected by Premier Williams and his government."

Jones raised several transportation issues that she feels deserve greater attention by government during the budgetary process. "I asked the Minister to re-examine passenger and freight rates on ferries servicing Labrador communities because the fees are prohibitively high; a greater commitment is necessary to ensure the completion of phase III of the Trans Labrador Highway and maintenance of the existing road between Red Bay and Lodge Bay; there are serious problems with air transportation and I have requested that the Minister examine the need for a regional airport to be constructed in Port Hope Simpson; and several communities, including Williams Harbour, Norman Bay and Black Tickle, are not connected to the road network."

The Liberal MHA also raised a number of health and other issues that have been unaddressed in government priorities during the first two years of the Conservative mandate. "There are gaps in the health care system, especially in areas of my district where patients are not receiving the level of service they deserve. Solutions are necessary to alleviate problems with long-term care and the voucher system for patients should be expanded to allow for travel to any facility where services are available within the existing health board. This would allow patients to travel to Goose Bay for faster service instead of having to wait for an appointment in St. Anthony or Corner Brook. Social services clients in Labrador face the highest cost of living in the province and the amount distributed by government does not adequately mitigate these costs.

"Challenges facing residents of Labrador have continued to be ignored by this government and it is now time to take action. The impact of high fuel prices, electricity costs, infrastructure problems, health care and other issues have not been addressed, despite government profiting from Labrador resources. Municipal operating grants for small municipalities and funding for the Combined Councils are just two more of the many issues facing Labrador Communities.

"I presented the case to government that profits from recall power on the Lower Churchill should be invested in the people of Labrador. Some of the profits from high energy prices should be allocated for improvements to services and infrastructure in Labrador to make up for the neglect over the past two years. The Department of Finance has agreed to provide greater details about the revenue government receives from Labrador resources. I look forward to receiving that information as further justification for increased investment in Labrador communities."

Media Contact:
Jeff Mackey
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427