St. John’s, NF: Commission Chair Victor Young and fellow commissioners, Elizabeth Davis and James Igloliorte, released the Royal Commission’s Research and Consultation Plan today.

The mandate of the Royal Commission is to conduct a critical assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador’s strengths and weaknesses and to bring forward recommendations as to how they can renew and strengthen their place in Canada.

"Since taking up our duties in June, we have been focused on developing the plan to gather information and ideas from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and other Canadians who will shape our research program," said Mr. Young. "The fundamental purpose of the plan is to effectively engage people and resources to develop a blueprint for greater prosperity and self-reliance in the future.

"A critical look at our place in Canada, with a focus on the future, is very timely. After 53 years in Confederation, Newfoundland and Labrador’s place in Canada can be best described as one of stark contrasts.

"On the one hand, we see a very encouraging picture of Newfoundland and Labrador. We are leading all provinces in GDP growth. Our petroleum and mineral industries continue to grow, with new and exciting projects like White Rose and Voisey’s Bay. A new spirit of co-operation and respect is developing between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples. We see a confident people, with a strong attachment to this place and one another, ready to work hard to make this province better.

"On the other hand, we see a very different picture. We have the country’s highest unemployment rate and lowest personal incomes. Our provincial government struggles to provide social programs comparable to the rest of Canada, while we pay some of the highest taxes in the country. Indeed, the Province’s budget is in a deficit position. We find it extremely challenging to make fiscal progress because of an equalization program that significantly offsets our gains, especially from oil royalties.

"Our fishery is struggling, with little sign of recovery in groundfish stocks and processing over-capacity in the shrimp and crab industries. Our population has been on a decline due to the lowest birth rate in Canada and out-migration. In addition, much of rural Newfoundland and Labrador is economically challenged.

"The purpose of our Research and Consultation Plan is to put the spotlight on these contrasts, so we can develop a plan to achieve prosperity and self-reliance."

The Commissioners provided an overview of the Research and Consultation Plan. As required by the Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference, the plan’s three elements are:

1. Public Consultations: Starting on September 30, public consultations will be conducted across Newfoundland and Labrador. To encourage and support discussion of the key issues, the Royal Commission has released a consultation document today.

2. Roundtables: The Royal Commission will bring together small groups to have roundtable discussions on specific issues. In so doing, the Royal Commission is providing a forum that encourages frank and open discussion of opportunities and challenges among people who work with a particular issue on a daily basis.

3. Research: The research program sets out a number of research and analysis papers that the Royal Commission will be seeking, primarily from academics. The research program has been developed in a manner consistent with the Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference and in consultation with representatives from Memorial University.

"Through these three different but complementary approaches, we hope to capture new and imaginative ideas," added Mr. Young. "We are very excited about this work and the opportunity to talk with people about their future."

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada on March 19, 2002, in the Speech from the Throne. On April 19, 2002, the appointments of Commissioners Vic Young (Chair), Sister Elizabeth Davis and Judge James Igloliorte, and Barbara Knight, deputy minister responsible for the Royal Commission, were announced. The Commissioners assumed their duties on June 3, 2002.

The Royal Commission will file its final report by June 30, 2003.

For further information on the Royal Commission, please visit the Commission’s web site at www.gov.nf.ca/royalcomm. It contains: the backgrounders on the public hearings process [including the hearings schedule], roundtables and research; the Terms of Reference; the Commissioners’ biographies; and the Consultation Document.

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