3.5 Stronger Communities and Stronger Regions

Stronger Communities - A Stronger Province

Economic development happens within communities. This is where businesses operate and people are employed. The communities are not just the beneficiaries of this process - they are an integral part of it. Businesses start with a competitive advantage and an entrepreneur. Businesses grow with a supportive community.

"Developing the (strategic economic plan for our community) brought renewed optimism and a positive attitude that we, a small rural community, had the energy, courage and enthusiasm needed to make a difference in our future."

- Mr. George Hatcher, Isle-aux-Morts Economic Development Board

The public consultations also reinforced that effective development cannot occur with either a top-down or a bottom-up approach. Efforts that are centrally-driven or fragmented and uncoordinated do not produced the desired results. Similarly, efforts at the community level that do not link to overall provincial policies and priorities do not work. The consultations made it clear that provincial priorities and community priorities must come together and that the most effective means to accomplish this is to focus on regional development strategies.

Stronger communities and stronger regions will lead to a stronger province. This was the clear message delivered in the consultations. The call, however, was not for government to direct the effort and provide all the resources. Instead, the call was for government to help develop the capacity and capability within communities and within regions so that they can take control of and shape their own futures. This is quite a departure from the thinking and attitude prevalent just a few short years ago.

This approach is consistent with the principles which gave rise to the creation of the 20 Regional Economic Development Boards in the province several years ago. It also goes to the essence of the fundamental strategy adopted in the province�s Strategic Social Plan. What is encouraging is that this concept has taken hold so soon and so deeply. This bodes well for the future.

The challenge facing government is to harness that spirit and energy in a productive manner, and to provide the tools for communities and regions to help themselves. The Regional Economic Development Boards will continue to be the core institutional mechanism to achieve this from an economic development perspective.

There is also a growing recognition of the importance of linking economic and social investments to support community and regional development in the province. Through the Strategic Social Plan, government is moving toward the establishment of regional committees in all areas of the province to build the necessary community and regional partnerships to deliver an integrated approach to social and economic development. The regional committees include representation from the Regional Economic Development Boards. This relationship is an important tool to ensuring that economic and social development move hand-in-hand.

Priorities for Action

The Cabinet Committee on Rural Revitalization will meet with each of the 20 regional economic development boards over the coming months to review the status of their strategic economic plans and their regional priorities for action. Government will work with the boards to bring a sharper focus to the regional economic development agenda in keeping with distinctive regional strengths. Stronger linkages with the private sector, as well as with overall provincial industry development strategies, will also be key ingredients to advancing the regional econoimc development agenda.

Government will continue to focus investments from the $81 million federal-provincial post-TAGS economic development agreement towards priorities identified by the regional economic development boards to help improve the long term economic climate in regions impacted by the downturn in the groundfish industry.

Government will partner with the regional economic development boards to promote and strengthen, on a regional basis, the environment of confidence and success and "can do" attitude that is emerging in the province.

Government will move aggressively to implement its Strategic Social Plan, building on the critically important linkages between economic and social investments at the regional and community levels. Regional steering committees to guide the development of long term regional strategies for social development, linked to regional economic development strategies, are already in place in the central and western areas of the Island. Government will invest $2 million in 2000-01 to support the continued implementation of the Strategic Social Plan.

Government, through the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, will continue with its $100 million multi-year municipal capital infrastructure program and its $20 million annual municipal capital improvement program. This will provide new infrastructure investments to help communities participate in a modern economy.

To strengthen the capacity of local governments to maintain viable communities and capitalize on new growth opportunities, Government, through the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, will provide an additional $5 million in 2000-01 to enhance and extend the municipal debt relief program to benefit communities most in need.

Modern and reliable transportation infrastructure is critical to economic development in every part of the province. The challenge of meeting this need is particularly acute in Labrador. Government remains committed to working with the federal government to complete the Trans Labrador Highway from Red Bay to Cartwright, and from Labrador West to Happy Valley - Goose Bay. Government also remains committed to providing a high quality marine link to remote areas of coastal Labrador. Improvements will also be made this coming year to the Strait of Belle Isle marine link to ensure it effectively serves the needs of the people and economy of southern Labrador.

The coastal communities in Labrador, but especially along the northern coast of Labrador, require new investments in infrastructure in order to fully develop their economies and provide for core social needs of their people. Government is committing to a three-year $23 million Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative, commencing in 2000-01.

In isolated areas of the province such as parts of Labrador, the national postal system serves a critical role in communications and in moving selected goods and services through the economy. Government will work with communities in Labrador to call upon Canada Post to eliminate excessive postal rate increases it recently introduced in northern communities.

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