Mr. Speaker, the name change of our province to Newfoundland and Labrador is symbolic of our shared identity, but most important recognizes that this government is solidly committed to address the needs of Labrador and the people who live there.

Access North - Labrador 2002

This year the province is placing a special focus on Labrador celebrations. Access North - Labrador 2002 brings a year of special events and the opportunity to raise awareness about Labrador, particularly as a tourist destination. The celebrations will be a catalyst for a longer term industry driven marketing strategy for Labrador tourism. Access North will commemorate the 250^th Anniversary of the Moravians in Labrador, promote winter tourism highlighting the extensive snowmobile trail network and support local celebrations in every community. Government is providing $700,000 through its Special Celebrations Corporation, which is being supplemented by $1.3 million in federal partnership support.

Gateway Tourist Centres

We want tourists to have all the information and services they need to maximize their vacation experience. Funding is provided this year for the Labrador Straits Visitor Information Centre to expand its focus to encompass the broader tourism region of coastal Labrador. Through cost shared federal funding, the Gateway Project is being developed in Labrador West. Together, these two centres will become important gateways to Labrador for tourists and will contribute to developing the great potential of tourism for all of Labrador.

The south coast of Labrador is already realizing significant benefits from the Trans Labrador Highway, an initiative of this government. This is opening up more of Labrador to the outside world, as well as making the world more accessible to residents of communities along the highway. This year will see completion of Phase II of the highway. Money for the Labrador Transportation Initiative has been held in a fund since 1998. With completion of Phase II, it is no longer prudent management to retain this money in the fund earning much lower interest rates than our cost of borrowing. Therefore, $97 million of the fund will be taken in as general revenue this year. For the people who still rely on the ferry service, government gives its assurance that the province will continue to meet all its obligations for that service, just as it meets its obligations now for ferry services in other regions of the province. Users know of the very significant improvements already made in the Blanc Sablon-St. Barbe marine service, improvements that soon will be matched by upgraded services for the rest of Labrador.

The Labrador Transportation Initiative never included any funding for Phase III of the highway from Cartwright to Happy Valley/Goose Bay. Government, however, believes that Phase III is important, not just to Labrador, but to the whole province. We are announcing today a multi-year commitment to finish Phase III. Funding of $800,000 is provided to continue the Environmental Impact Study for Phase III. Construction will commence after the environmental assessment process is completed, which includes consultations with the Innu Nation and other highway stakeholders. This would complete the Great Circle Route, which would contribute to an integrated transportation system for Labrador, and enhance transportation linkages for the province to the rest of North America. It would generate significant economic and social benefits for the province and permanently reduce the cost of marine services.

We are committing $17 million a year for the six years estimated to complete the highway. This commitment is not contingent on federal funding. We approached the federal government to partner with us on this project, but have not yet received a favourable response. The opportunity for federal participation still exists and we call on the federal government to give this project the priority it deserves. The people of Labrador have waited long enough for a highway.

In addition to the $17 million that will be spent this year to complete Phase II of the highway, $3 million is allocated to a two year project for a road to connect Pinsent�s Arm to the Trans Labrador Highway. In addition to the highway, funding this year will see improvements to roads in southern and northern Labrador, as well as continued upgrading of the Northwest River Road. An increase of $394,000 is provided for winter maintenance of newly opened sections of the Trans Labrador Highway.

The marine service is being reconfigured to meet the needs of communities not connected to the Trans Labrador Highway as a result of recommendations from coastal Labrador communities. Tenders will be called shortly for 2003-04 and beyond to improve ferry services for coastal Labrador. This year will see wharf and terminal upgrades on the Labrador coast.

In addition, $100,000 in new funding will go towards snowmobile trail grooming grants for Labrador. This funding means for the first time residents of Rigolet and Postville will travel on groomed trails.

We are entering the third year of the $23 million Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative. Work ongoing in five Inuit communities is addressing housing needs, community infrastructure and policing. To date, the housing component has seen 43 new homes constructed and renovations to another 90. An awaited extension to the federal provincial Labrador Inuit Communities Agreement would facilitate continued general improvement within Inuit communities.

We are continuing to fund for a second year the Aboriginal Cadet Development Program. This allows aboriginal young people interested in a career in the RCMP to upgrade their skills so they could be considered for RCMP training.

We are taking action this year to improve the court facilities in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Funding is provided to expand the Provincial Court at its present location. A tender call will be issued for a new location for the Supreme Court.

An additional $250,000 is provided for the Transition House Program. A significant portion of this funding will go to enhance services in Labrador West and coastal Labrador. In recognition of the challenges of providing safe housing and support for women in small isolated communities, government is working with the Provincial Association Against Family Violence and community stakeholders to look at alternative models for shelters in northern and aboriginal communities.

The Throne Speech announced a Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening our Place in Canada. The Commission will have a broad mandate, with details and its Terms of Reference announced in the near future. Funding is provided to support the activities of the Commission in carrying out its mandate, including the necessary research and public consultations. It is timely at this point in our history for us to focus on our position within Canada and the global community, drawing on a critical analysis of our strengths and weaknesses to provide direction for the future.