Budget 2000

NORTHERN COASTAL LABRADOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVE  Mr. Speaker, nowhere is the need to address the level of public services more acute than on the northern coast of Labrador. Here the factors of isolation and harsh climate combine with insufficient employment opportunities and high costs to make things like water and sewer, adequate housing, good roads and police protection, seem almost unimaginable luxuries for many of the residents. Because not enough has been done in the past to ensure these communities have the public services most of the rest of us take for granted, government must act now. As a result of an interim agreement on self government, the Innu communities of Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu will see more funding flowing into public services. When completed, the new community of Sango Bay will provide modern new facilities and infrastructure to residents of Davis Inlet. However, there is no similar agreement for the five communities with large Inuit populations, Nain, Hopedale, Rigolet, Makkovik and Postville, although housing conditions are the worst in the Province and other services clearly deficient. Good work is being done to upgrade housing in these communities by the Torngat Regional Housing Co-operative and the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. The problem lies in that the pace of this work falls behind the needs that have been identified. Mr. Speaker, to bring about improvements, we are announcing today the Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Program. Under this initiative, government will provide $23 million over three years for housing and infrastructure enhancement in these towns, consisting of aboriginal housing, water and sewer servicing and road upgrading. Other components of this initiative will repair community wharves and address policing issues. Addressing Housing Needs In aboriginal housing, there is an anticipated shortfall in housing construction and renovation, with an extra 65 new homes and 120 renovations needed over the next three years. Government will provide the necessary $7.7 million in funding through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation to address these extra needs. It is anticipated that between the NLHC and Torngat Regional Housing Co-operative, that as many as 125 new homes and 280 upgrades could be completed over the next three years. Water and Sewer The number of serviced building lots will have to be increased in the five communities to meet existing need and the requirements for new homes. Funding of $9 million will be made available, $3 million annually over the next three years, under the cost shared Inuit Communities Agreement to address this need. All existing dwellings will be serviced with water and sewer, as well as the additional new housing construction.  Community Roads These communities all have gravel roads in generally poor condition. The Combined Councils of Labrador have been lobbying to have these roads upgraded. This budget provides $6 million over the next two years through the cost-shared Labrador Transportation Initiative to provide the five communities with basic road upgrading, drainage and surfacing with crushed stone. This year $3 million will be spent at Nain and Makkovik. Community Wharves In addition, to repair community wharves in Postville and Hopedale $280,000 is provided. Policing Enhancements Government and the RCMP are proposing to implement an enhanced police presence in Rigolet, Postville and Makkovik. Under the proposal, an RCMP officer would be posted in each of Rigolet and Makkovik to work with two special constables. Postville will be policed from Makkovik. Government is also negotiating the re-establishment of an RCMP community policing office in Cartwright. Government will be partnering with the Labrador Inuit Association, the communities and the Torngat Regional Housing Co-operative in the development and delivery of these initiatives. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the hard work and tireless dedication of the honourable member for Torngat Mountains, whose efforts on behalf of his constituents are in large measure responsible for these significant investments. Several other initiatives are being undertaken this year which will have wide ranging benefits throughout Labrador, including the completion of the new Melville Health Centre and work on the next phase of the Trans Labrador Highway. Government will be closely monitoring the situation in Labrador, particularly on the northern coast.

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