Speech From the
Throne
Delivered at the
Opening of
The Second Session of the Forty-Fifth
General Assembly of the
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
on Tuesday, March 15, 2005
by His Honour
The Honourable Edward Roberts, ONL, QC
Lieutenant Governor of
Newfoundland and Labrador
A New Future, A Renewed Pride
top
Mr. Speaker, Members of the
House of Assembly and people of Newfoundland and Labrador:
This year, My Government will
undertake a range of new and improved initiatives to more
effectively seize the opportunities to grow our economy, invest in
our culture, and demonstrate a strong social conscience.
But first, it is worthwhile to
reflect upon one of the most important developments in the history
of Newfoundland and Labrador. On the fifth of June in 2004, the
Prime Minister accepted My First Minister’s proposal for the fair
sharing of offshore oil and gas revenue. On the fourteenth of
February in 2005, following eight months of challenging discussions
of details, My Government and the Government of Canada ratified a
groundbreaking new agreement on offshore revenues that enables
Newfoundland and Labrador to retain 100% of its provincial offshore
revenue, truly making this province the principal beneficiary of our
offshore resources. This was indeed a turning point in our
province’s history, a
moment that will define our province for generations to come.
The agreement includes the advance
provision by the Government of Canada of two billion dollars in lieu
of revenue that will flow in years to come; however, the total
revenue over the life of the agreement will likely be even greater
than this. Still, the magnitude of the fiscal challenge our province
faces is such that, even with this substantial new revenue, one
cannot afford to waste one precious penny. My Government is
determined to invest the new revenue wisely in ways that will
generate the greatest long-term return for our province and enable
future generations to share in the benefits of these nonrenewable
resources long after they are depleted.
My Government thanks Prime Minister
Martin for recognizing our province’s unique financial challenges
and resolving to help us address them. Our province also recognizes
the tremendous efforts of My Premier. He was tenacious and
determined in his fight for greater benefits for this province. His
spirit, attitude and leadership have resulted in a brighter future
for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundland and Labrador aspires to become one of Canada’s
brightest success stories and to make even stronger
contributions to the Canadian family as a truly equal
partner, in practice as well as principle.
Money aside, the true significance of
the Atlantic Accord 2005 is pride. During the difficult period of
talks on the Atlantic Accord, our province’s residents, expatriates,
and supporters alike stood steadfastly together, unshakable in their
confidence and unwavering in their commitment to Newfoundland and
Labrador. Through media such as the worldwide web, movers and
shakers like Kevin
McCann of the “FairDealforNewfoundland.com” web site demonstrated
with competence the new attitude
that has taken hold in Newfoundland and Labrador. My Government is
deeply appreciative of the outpouring of support during this process
and commends the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for standing
together for the greater good of us all. Even more important than
the revenue, this new attitude of pride and self-confidence is the
currency that will purchase our province’s success in the years
ahead.
This new attitude is strongly
reflected in our province’s culture. Our stories, songs, traditions,
and pictures have always reflected resilience and tenacity in the
face of great obstacles; but more and more, our cultural icons are
encouraging our people to aim higher. It is time to put the
bountiful resources of our province to work for our people so our
sons and daughters can remain here to raise sons and daughters of
their own. These sentiments are echoed in the powerful lyrics of
bands like Great Big
Sea, who sing:
In this beautiful life,
there’s always some sorrow It’s a double-edged knife,
but there’s always tomorrow It’s up to you now if you
sink or swim Keep the faith and your ship will come in.
[© Excerpt from
“Ordinary Day” by Alan Doyle and Séan McCann. Used
with permission.]
This strength also sings through the
songs of Ron Hynes, RASA, Shaye, Crush, Kevin Collins, Pamela
Morgan, Jason Greeley, The Flummies, Spirit of Newfoundland, The
Fables, Brothers in Stereo, The Irish Descendants, Jenny Gear, The
Carol Players, The Masterless Men, and so many other promising
musicians. It reverberates through the writings of Ed Riche, Wayne
Johnston, Lisa Moore, Michael Winter, Ramona Dearing, Leo Furey,
Nellie Strowbridge, Beth Ryan, Joel Hynes, and Michael Crummey, to
name but a few. It is portrayed in the theatrical work of Jillian
Keiley, Lois Brown, and Donna Butt. It is reflected in the
photography of Sheilagh O’Leary, Brian Ricks, and Manfred Buchheit
and the paintings of Mary Pratt, Lloyd Pretty, Shelley Cornick, Ian
Sparkes, E.J. Wareham, and a host of others. It is framed in the
films of Paul Pope and Gerry Rogers. It shines through the work of
Seamus O’Regan, Rick Mercer, Rex Murphy, Mary Walsh, Gordon Pinsent,
Robert Joy, Tina Maddigan, and Sebastian Spence. And this is only
the tip of the iceberg of the talent that Newfoundland and Labrador
is producing.
Through so many media in so many
ways, our people and indeed the entire world are beginning to see
Newfoundland and Labrador as they have never seen it before. Where
once there was uncertainty, there is now renewed pride. Where once
there was pessimism, there is now renewed hope. Where once there was
powerlessness, there is now renewed confidence in our ability to
shape our destiny to our own design. If our grandparents could
succeed in carving a home here when the opportunities were so
limited, how much greater our successes can be with opportunities
that are so vast.
Celebrating Our Culture
top
Mr. Speaker and Members of the
House of Assembly:
With a new Atlantic Accord now
successfully achieved, My Government is prepared to move forward, in
a much more visible and powerful way, with far-reaching economic
development initiatives and cultural policy strategies.
Now that our
people have been reinvigorated by a renewed pride and hope for our
future, we as a society must not allow that sense of self-confidence
and optimism to fade. Rather, we must nurture and sustain our hope
and pride so that it propels our people to a brighter future. We can
best build that brighter future if tomorrow’s leaders have a better
appreciation of the legacy they have inherited from our generations.
Music, drama, writing, film, and
visual arts, along with other forms of expression, allow us to
capture and communicate our culture. In its Blueprint for the
Future, My Government stated that, “in its first mandate, government
will increase the presence of cultural content in the school
curriculum and foster links between artists and students in the
school environment.” Through the implementation of a sustained,
integrated, and coherent strategy, Newfoundland and Labrador history
and culture will be affirmed as a key feature of the K-12
curriculum, and students will develop a critical awareness of the
role of the arts in creating and reflecting our heritage. Students,
and those who witness their expression of the arts, will also come
to respect the contributions of individuals and cultural groups to
the arts in both local and provincial contexts and will recognize
the value of the arts as a record of our unique experience.
The social, cultural, and economic
benefits of My Government’s cultural strategy will be significant.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, especially our younger people,
will grow in their understanding and
appreciation of our unique culture. Their sense of place will help
build the confidence to carry the province proudly through the next
generations.
To promote the arts generally, My
Government will introduce a comprehensive fine arts and culture
strategy within the education system that includes expanding the
curriculum for the arts, music, theatre arts, fine arts, and social
studies; supporting professional development; promoting our culture
through the acquisition of works by local authors, artists, and
performers; and investing in the acquisition and repair of musical
equipment.
To promote collaboration with our
artists, My Government will work with the province’s writers and
artists to develop a new Artists in Schools Program to connect
musical, dramatic, and visual artists with students in classrooms,
enabling them to benefit directly from the inspiration and
mentorship that our cultural muses can provide. There will also be
arts institutes where students can benefit from hands-on mentoring,
and fine arts conferences to facilitate teachers’ professional
growth.
The intent of My
Government’s actions is to promote our culture and instill
in our young people a stronger sense of pride in who we are
as a people.
This renewed focus on identity and
culture is nowhere more important than in our province’s Aboriginal
communities. My Government is committed to the development of
culturally-relevant curriculum, beginning with social studies and
art, to reflect the rich legacies of Aboriginal peoples. We will
accomplish this through provincial investment and through
partnership, where possible, with federal authorities at Canadian
Heritage and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
The needs and aspirations of the Innu
of Labrador are a priority of My Government. In collaboration with
the Government of Canada and Innu Band Councils, My Government is
committed to a process that will ensure the education system fulfils
the needs of young people in the Innu communities. Ultimately, the
goal is to provide the Innu communities with the means to take
control of their own lives and their own collective destiny.
Education is fundamental to the success of that endeavour. All our
province’s young people deserve an opportunity to acquire the skills
and knowledge they need to reach their potential, and My Government
is committed to enabling this.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the
House of Assembly: Our culture not only inspires; it also
employs. No area of opportunity for business growth is more
promising or exciting than our province’s cultural sector. By
blending the past and the present and combining outside and local
influences, contemporary creators have developed a distinctive
“voice” that is gaining recognition internationally. We are like no
other place, and My Government intends to nurture that uniqueness.
In our province, culture is a driver
of economic wealth and contributes to better education, identity and
social cohesion, community health, and quality of life. It also
shapes the face of Newfoundland and Labrador that greets the wider
world.
To nurture our cultural
strengths, My Government will bring forward a Strategic
Cultural Plan this year to promote our heritage, celebrate
our identity, and champion creativity.
To ensure our plan is comprehensive
and effective, My Government will convene a roundtable discussion
with the arts and heritage communities on the proposed details and,
together, we will embark on a partnership of strengthening our
cultural identity, building a creative province, and seizing the
economic opportunities for generations to come.
My Government looks forward to the
opening of one of the most unique and exciting cultural facilities
in Canada. The Rooms will house the Archives, Art Gallery, and
Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Rooms will offer a
combination of excellent programs and services, together with
effective educational and public outreach programs, to make the
institution relevant and meaningful for every school-aged child and
adult in our province.
My Government will also create a
Provincial Historic Sites and Monuments Board to identify,
designate, preserve, and celebrate the people, places and events
that embody the rich history of Newfoundland and Labrador.
My Government is also delighted this
year to join with the Roman Catholic community of Newfoundland and
Labrador in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the completion and
consecration of the Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in
St. John’s. Our Province celebrates with its Roman Catholic
community the remarkable contributions that the Church has made
throughout Newfoundland and Labrador over the centuries.
Newfoundland and Labrador is being
discovered again, this time as a unique, exotic, tourism
destination. The province’s unique natural attractions, its
communities and its people, and its cultural heritage are powerful
assets for our tourism industry. From Mackinsons to Makkovik and
from Roddickton to Ramea, our visitors are captivated by the
magnificent landscape and seascape, our unique history and culture,
and a pride that is unmatched anywhere.
Tourism is a real export earner and
wealth generator for a destination, particularly one having the
potential this province has. My Government recognizes that an
investment in tourism will generate revenue in all regions of the
province through increased visitors and increased capacity of
accommodations and activities, resulting in increased employment and
revenue for tourism operators
and the communities in which they reside.
My Government believes that, in order
to reach our true tourism potential, we must continue to
professionally market our destination. It is through effective and
increased marketing efforts that we will continue to grow our share
of non-resident visitors and spending.
Fostering Economic Growth
top
Mr. Speaker and Members of the
House of Assembly: Cultural tourism is just one opportunity
to foster economic growth. There are many others. In all sectors of
our economy, My Government will begin replacing barriers to
opportunity with bridges to success.
My Government has already outlined a
comprehensive blueprint for economic development. Newfoundland and
Labrador competes for investment and export market share against
many other jurisdictions. Our economic future will be determined by
our success in reaching, and ultimately exceeding, not just our
nearest competitors in the rest of Canada and other North Atlantic
countries,
but also the emerging economic powers of the Pacific rim.
The focus must be on
building a competitive economy driven by private sector
firms selling in competitive markets and operating out of
all regions of our province. The key to success will be our
province’s performance in attracting investment, driving
innovation, and building and attracting new skills
throughout the province.
Last year, My Government established
a new Department of Business to facilitate growth and investment
throughout rural and urban regions of our province. My Government
will strive to make Newfoundland and Labrador a more business
friendly location and work to ensure continued growth and investment
in our province.
In its inaugural year, the Department
of Business has undertaken a comprehensive inventory of provincial
business development programs. This inventory will allow My
Government to assess its business support functions and help it to
identify where enhanced measures will need to be targeted.
Small and medium size businesses are
the backbone of our province’s economy. To grow economic
opportunities, our province must nurture its business sector.
The issue of poor access to capital
is well documented as a major barrier to business growth in
Newfoundland and Labrador. My Government is preparing to address
this weakness with significant new initiatives to leverage business
success. In particular, My Government will create sources of capital
to enable businesses to establish, grow, diversify, and prosper.
The Department of Business has also
undertaken a strategic audit of Government’s branding practices. In
order to identify ways to better position Newfoundland and Labrador
as an attractive place in which to visit, live and set up business,
My Government will be developing a major branding initiative.
My Government will create strong
trade and marketing development units to help businesses identify
new opportunities for growth. It will also seek the reduction of
trade barriers.
To advance diversification, My
Government has undertaken a range of initiatives involving
broadband, marine industries, provincial education export
strategies, and the provincial nominee program. This year, My
Government will unveil a major Innovation Strategy that will develop
an advanced technology base in the province, with a major emphasis
on ocean technology and marine sciences in the Avalon area and the
emerging environmental sector in western Newfoundland.
In the months ahead, My
Government will move forward with a Rural Development
Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador. My departments of
Business and Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, in
partnership with other levels of government, regional
economic development boards, small business, industry and
community organizations, will continue to implement a number
of key initiatives that are significantly benefitting our
rural economies.
Last year, My Government established
a Rural Secretariat to coordinate initiatives to revitalize our
rural communities. Following consultations, My Government has
recently announced a structure for the
Rural Secretariat which will enhance partnerships and
decision-making between government and communities. The structure
will involve nine sustainable regions each with a Regional Council,
and a Provincial Council of the Rural Secretariat. The Provincial
Council will meet directly with Cabinet and ensure regional
perspectives inform public policy development and implementation.
My Government has also recently hired
a Chief Information Officer who will be responsible for streamlining
and enhancing service delivery, reforming management and operational
IT practices throughout government, and bridging the role of
government in public service delivery with the private sector. The
new Chief Information Officer has completed a review of the
government’s information technology functions and found considerable
opportunity for new approaches. Strategic improvements will be made
to My Government’s IT functions that will result in a more
efficient, better organized, and accessible provincial government.
Productivity, competitiveness and a
stable labour climate are hallmarks to economic growth. Last year My
Government established the Labour Relations Agency to work toward
the improvement of labour relations in the province and to maintain
a stable labour relations climate conducive to economic growth. This
year, we will enhance the role of the Agency in improving
productivity and competitiveness in Newfoundland and Labrador. The
Agency will expand its work with business and labour at the level of
the workplace, and build strategic partnerships with other
government departments in the pursuit of economic development.
Harnessing Our Natural Resources
top
Mr. Speaker and Members of the
House of Assembly: My Government will take the lead in
harnessing our bountiful natural resources for economic growth
throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
The people of our
province are determined to set the bar higher when
determining acceptable arrangements for the development of
our resources. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians must be the
principal beneficiaries of these developments. No longer
will our people watch quietly as our resources create
opportunities for others at our expense.
My Government is delighted with the
achievements of the Hibernia, Terra Nova, and White Rose projects
and is eager to advance development at Hebron-Ben Nevis and
exploration in the Orphan and Laurentian basins and offshore
Labrador. My Government will continue to work with developers to
advance these and other projects. My Government will stand by its
belief that there must be no more giveaways. It will explore
opportunities to better harness these resources for the greater
benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
My Government is also pleased with
successes and emerging opportunities in the mining and mineral
exploration sector and will foster continued exploration and
development in Labrador and on the Island.
My Government is in the process of
developing a comprehensive Energy Plan to define energy needs,
opportunities, and costs. In January of this year, My Government, in
partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, initiated a new
approach to development of the Lower Churchill hydroelectric
resource. We launched a Request for Expressions of Interest and
Proposals for participation in the development. The deadline for
submissions is March 31st. We will assess all our options and
proceed when we have identified the best development concept. Our
objective is to reach a development arrangement that ensures this
province will realize significant, long-term economic benefits from
this untapped, clean, renewable energy resource.
In the Department of Fisheries and
Aquaculture, My Government will create a Seafood Diversification and
Development Division to address harvesting, processing, and
marketing challenges in an integrated and comprehensive manner.
It will also create a new Sustainable
Fisheries and Oceans Policy Division and expand its Planning
Division to provide a better focus on fish and seafood trade issues.
These and other changes will allow the department to implement new
initiatives related to foreign overfishing, aquaculture, fish
health, price-setting mechanisms, ecosystems management, trade and
tariff barriers, and sustainable fisheries policy.
Earlier this month, My Government
announced its intention to proceed with a raw material shares system
for the crab fishery on a two-year pilot basis. Under the pilot
project, the amount of raw material that seafood producers can
process will be capped as a condition of their crab processing
licence. The system will improve regional distribution of crab
processing and provide for a more orderly fishery for harvesters,
processors, and fish plant workers. Our crab fishery is threatened
by declining prices, unfavourable exchange rates, excess inventory,
fish plant overcapacity, and the possibility of the federal
government cutting quotas. It would be irresponsible to sit idly
without acting to strengthen the economic engine of our fishery. My
Government has committed to restructure our fish processing policies
to promote sustainable balance and meaningful work in our rural
areas.
My Government’s Department of
Environment and Conservation will spearhead a process to involve all
sectors in identifying common values and implementing a shared
vision for sustainable development. The department will also provide
knowledge and support for environmental conservation so that our
people can benefit from our resources for generations to come.
Last year, My Government indicated
its support for a proposal to create a Centre of Environmental
Excellence in western Newfoundland, using as its foundation the
education, training, and research capacity of Memorial University’s
Sir Wilfred Grenfell College and the College of the North Atlantic.
The vision for this centre of excellence is that it will serve as a
catalyst for the establishment of innovative companies. Advanced
research and educational programs would support and strengthen new
business opportunities in such areas as forestry, environmental
tourism, and geospatial mapping. In the upcoming year, My Government
will finalize a concept in consultation with potential partners and
stakeholders, and then undertake a detailed feasibility study along
with a master plan.
Working With Our Communities
top
Mr. Speaker and Members of the
House of Assembly:
My Government believes
it is vital to help our province’s regions and communities
discover new opportunities for development by pursuing new
avenues of cooperation. My Government is committed to
working with our communities to capitalize on opportunities
that, collectively, will provide a foundation for future
growth on a provincial scale.
A major obstacle to
community development is deficient infrastructure.
Infrastructure is exceptionally expensive to construct and
repair, but wise investments reap sizeable dividends for
local communities. My Government’s infrastructure strategy
is identifying needs, establishing priorities, and locating
funds to proceed with important projects in multiple areas
of our province. Providing this funding earlier is enabling
municipalities to plan their activities better.
One of My Government’s greatest
concerns is the level of debt that many municipalities are carrying
and the inability of many of these smaller communities to service
their debt with an aging and declining population. These demographic
factors, compounded by economic challenges, have created
unsustainable fiscal realities for many communities. My Government
intends to work with the Federation of Municipalities to find
creative, effective ways to alleviate debt loads.
Several municipalities are also
experiencing significant challenges in obtaining and retaining
appropriately-trained personnel to operate the
increasingly-complicated infrastructure needed to meet drinking
water and waste water standards. Having learned from the errors of
others, My Government is determined to protect our people from
contaminated drinking water by working closely with our
municipalities to ensure they have access to the necessary resources
to carry out proper testing and
proper reporting.
My Government will also invest in
community recreation programs and infrastructure to advance
community cohesiveness, support our athletes, enhance tourism
opportunities, and improve the quality of life of our people.
Our people have demonstrated an
exceptional commitment to community service and have built a
formidable not-for-profit sector. Facing challenges from health
services to community development, groups of Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians have come together to provide solutions to many of our
challenges. We need these people and organizations more now than
ever before. My Government is determined to strengthen the
relationship between the government and the volunteer sector, to
improve the grants process, and to identify opportunities for
cooperation and collaboration.
My Government is proud of the many
varied contributions our citizens make to their communities. Last
year, My Government honoured the first recipients of the
distinguished Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. This year, we will
build on that tradition by honouring others whose contributions have
made Newfoundland and Labrador stronger and more vibrant.
To keep our communities safe and
secure, My Government will continue to invest in the strength of our
police forces. We are deeply appreciative of the tremendous work our
police officers do to protect us and preserve the peace. The recent
tragedy in Alberta reminds us how much we should appreciate the
commitment and sacrifices of our police officers. To the families of
Constable Peter Schiemann, Constable Anthony Gordon, Constable Leo
Johnston, and Constable Brock Myrol, we offer our prayers and
deepest sympathies.
Securing a Brighter Future for
Labrador
top
Mr. Speaker and Members of the
House of Assembly: My Government recognizes that the people
of Labrador face unique challenges. The barriers to development are
pronounced in Labrador; yet, nowhere are the opportunities for
growth greater.
Last year, My Government announced
Phase III of
the Trans-Labrador Highway; a new Upper Churchill
recall agreement; the implementation of the Northern
Agrifoods Development Strategy; a reconfigured
Labrador Coastal Marine Service; air food lift support;
and forestry agreements with the Innu Nation and the
Labrador Métis Nation. This year, in addition to the many Aboriginal issues
addressed earlier, My Government will move forward
with initiatives to secure a brighter future for all
Labradorians.
My Government will commission the Department of
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs to develop a Northern
Strategic Plan to address the needs for social and
economic development in Labrador. The department
will work closely with the people of Labrador to ensure
the plan reflects the priorities and aspirations of
Labradorians.
My Government will continue to promote Labrador’s
tremendous tourism potential through Destination
Labrador. On the 22nd of January, history was made in the northern
Labrador community of Nain. With an overwhelming
mandate from the Inuit people of our province, the
Labrador Inuit Association entered into a groundbreaking
land claims agreement with the Government of Canada and the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,
establishing the Government of Nunatsiavut - “Our
Beautiful Land”. For thirty years, community leaders
laboured to reach this agreement. Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians congratulate the Inuit people of Labrador
for giving all of us a timely lesson on the importance
of patient perseverance. In the words of the Inuttitut
language, “Sivunitsavut pitsiatunejuk!” - “Our future is in
great hands!” Having concluded the historic land claims agreement
with the Labrador Inuit Association, My Government
is committed to working with the province’s other
Aboriginal peoples to achieve agreements and strategies
to advance the well-being of Aboriginal communities.
My Government, by requiring an
adjacency principle,
will ensure that Labradorians are given opportunities
to find employment on major development projects in
Labrador’s communities. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are especially proud
of Canadian Forces Base 5-Wing Goose Bay. This world-class
facility has trained flight crews from many countries
over the years and contributed greatly to world peace
and security. When its future became uncertain, My
Government approached the Government of Canada
and the governments of other countries in a collaborative
effort to identify new uses that would secure a bright
future for our base. My Government was delighted in February with the
appointment of General Rick Hillier as the Government
of Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff. One of our
province’s most-distinguished sons, General Hillier has already been successful in convincing the Government of
Canada to significantly expand its defence spending. My
Government will work closely with General Hillier and
the federal government to secure new opportunities that
will diversify 5-Wing Goose Bay and sustain its operations
for years to come. On the 8th of March in Labrador, My Government
announced an investment this year of at least $56
million to improve access to health services, strengthen
Aboriginal communities, build and repair infrastructure,
and expand economic opportunities. This was the
strongest signal yet that My Government intends to help
Labrador thrive and prosper and see Labradorians enjoy
the same standard of living enjoyed by residents living on
the Island. My Government will also establish a branch of the
Premier’s Office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to ensure a
direct conduit between Labrador and My First Minister
on the priorities, views, and concerns of Labradorians.
Getting People Healthier
top Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: While My
Government is committed to move Newfoundland and
Labrador ahead to better economic times, it recognizes
there are significant social barriers to opportunity that we
must confront together. My Government is committed to
bringing down these barriers, beginning with the barriers
to good health.
A healthier society is a stronger, more-productive
society. My Government will promote wellness to keep
people healthier; and when people do become sick, My
Government will provide funding to diagnose and treat
them sooner and more effectively.
Last year, My Government announced a new MRI for
Corner Brook; expanded dialysis services; an expanded
provincial drug program; new immunizations for
children; a new Division of Aging and Seniors; a new
Chief Nurse position; a renewed commitment to smokefree
workplaces; an OxyContin task force; and a financial
commitment to improve the safety of our personal care
homes. The First Ministers’ Health Accord provides substantial
additional funding to Newfoundland and Labrador to
enable the province to reduce wait times and provide
better care for patients. My Government will invest
strategically to achieve needed advances in health care
delivery. Areas of focus will include diagnostic services,
vision restoration, joint replacement, cancer and cardiac
care, and access to services for residents in northern
areas. To ensure our health and community services system
meets the needs of the people it serves as effectively as
it can, My Government will focus on planning for the
delivery of services in each region of the province. These
plans will focus on the appropriate locations of services,
the appropriate skill mix of our service providers, the best
means of integrating services, the delivery of new models
of primary health care, and strengthening of public
health.
My Government is especially committed to secure and
advance the quality of care that our seniors receive. We
must not and will not forget the men and women who
contributed so much to our province over the years and
asked for so little in return. With the best interests of
our seniors guiding its actions, My Government will move ahead this
year to design and implement a long-term
care strategy in order to both increase the number of
long-term care beds around our province and to identify
other necessary supports to allow our seniors to remain
in their communities. My Government believes we can reduce the demands on
our health care system by promoting health and wellness.
Recent national reports indicate Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians are among Canada’s most obese and
inactive. The rate of childhood-onset diabetes is among
the highest in the country. My Government will foster
a culture of wellness in our classrooms and develop a
planned and sequential health and physical education
program in our schools to inspire in our young people
a lifelong commitment to regular exercise, healthy
eating, and positive self esteem. My Government is also
developing new nutrition guidelines for schools that will
ensure students are provided with healthy food choices
and given information about healthy eating. If we can
support our young people eating well and exercising
regularly, we as a society will be healthier, hardier, and
happier. My Government appreciates the recommendations it
received from the Reid/Power inquiry and OxyContin
Task Force Report and will refine and implement a mental health and
addictions plan to ensure people in
need of mental health and addictions services are able to
access them.
Addressing Poverty
top Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: My
Government recognizes the devastating effects of poverty
and is committed to taking steps to alleviate and reduce
poverty. Last year, My Government announced tax cuts for
the poor; a home heating fuel rebate; indexation of
the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit rate;
indexation of the Seniors’ Benefit rate; an enhanced
Mother Baby Nutrition Supplement; an expanded
Supported Employment Program for individuals with
developmental disabilities; improved delivery of income
support and employment and career services; a higher
minimum wage; and funding for youth support programs,
including the unique Youth Promise Challenge and a new
shelter and resource centre for young people.
Building on several measures announced last year, My
Government will refine and implement a comprehensive
Poverty Reduction Strategy in collaboration with
stakeholders both within and outside the government.
The best remedy for poverty is often a secure job.
My Government will foster stronger labour force
attachment by taking an aggressive approach in assisting
income support clients, particularly youth, to access
employment.
The Department of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment will establish a pilot Supported Employment
for Single Parents Program in a region outside the Avalon.
It will implement a new earnings exemption model to
better assist income support clients who are employed.
My Government will integrate women’s voices and
perspectives, including those of Aboriginal women, when
formulating public policies. It will also enhance the use
of gender-based analysis across departments, agencies,
boards, and commissions to evaluate and advance the
status of women in our province.
My Government will continue its commitment to violence
prevention through a new violence prevention program
with new management and leadership; new funding to
fight violence against Aboriginal women in Labrador;
new funding for a much-needed women’s shelter in
Hopedale; and new family violence legislation that will
be introduced. There will be special measures to ensure women share
equitably in the social and economic benefits of the
province and to address employment barriers for
women in non-traditional and resource-based industries.
Women’s participation in leadership and decision making
will also be advanced through measures including
supports for Aboriginal women.
Educating for Success
top
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:
Recognizing that education is the key to both personal
and economic development, My Government will
help to bring down the barriers to learning so that
our students and graduates are better able to seize the
opportunities before them. Indeed, no issue is of greater
importance, as Newfoundland and Labrador looks to
the future, than the need to prepare our young people
for success.
Healthy, safe and comfortable buildings are essential for
schools to succeed in their core mission of educating
children. To ensure our schools meet this standard, My
Government will develop and implement a comprehensive
capital financing and maintenance plan. This year, it will
move forward with several major renovations of schools
in various areas. My Government recently announced
funding to correct problems caused by water infiltration
into school buildings. My Government believes a solid education must begin
early in a child’s life. To build on the work of the
recently-established
Ministerial Council for Early Childhood
Learning, My Government will recognize early childhood
learning as an important part of the education process.We will explore opportunities and options to ensure all
children enter Kindergarten having had appropriate
learning experiences in their pre-school years.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:
Education does not end with grade school. More and
more, our students must pursue post-secondary studies to
gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials they need to
take on challenging careers and reach their potential.
Given the unprecedented demand for greater
diversification and improved sustainability, we
recognize that the provincial public post-secondary
system must undergo change and renewal. Further,
the increasing pace of change requires us to constantly
explore strategies to improve the way our public postsecondary
education system operates.
To accomplish this, My Government last year
commissioned a White Paper on Post-secondary Education in order to tailor the system to better prepare
students for opportunities here at home. This work is
underway, and My Government is prepared to begin
implementing, in the year ahead, a range of measures
based on recommendations flowing through this process.
My Government is particularly cognizant of the need
to modernize post-secondary facilities to ensure our
programs can prepare students to tackle modern
challenges effectively. My Government will ensure our
facilities and programs are modern and relevant to
current and emerging needs. My Government will also forecast skills requirements and
plan ways of meeting the labour force demands with local
graduates. My Government will also create a Labour Market
Development unit to consolidate related activities and positions. The demands on the provincial labour market
are changing rapidly, and it is vitally important that this
province be well positioned to respond. A skilled, welltrained
labour force is key to the ongoing economic
growth and prosperity of Newfoundland and Labrador.
There is no more important time for us to emphasize
education than now. We must maintain a viable postsecondary
system while ensuring our students have the
ability to compete with the best. We must all be partners
in renewing and expanding our higher education system
for the next generation. The White Paper on Public
Post-secondary Education will establish the foundation
for our future success.
Progress and Promise
top
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: Even
with a solid economic development agenda and a strong
social conscience, My Government cannot lose sight of
the fiscal challenges that our province continues to face.
My Government commenced its term in November
of 2003 with a mandate and a plan to apply a new
approach to governance in Newfoundland and Labrador.
While considerable work awaits our collective efforts,
Newfoundland and Labrador is closer to realizing its
dreams today than when My Government first began.
No challenge in 2004 was greater than the province’s
financial instability. Newfoundland and Labrador was facing billion-dollar deficits that, within a decade,
would almost have doubled the province’s net debt without decisive action to address the challenge head
on. Independent auditors and advisors expressed their concerns about the province’s fiscal sustainability,
concerns that My Government shares. Our children
deserve a legacy of promise and opportunity, not a stack
of bills for the money we are spending today. That is why
My Government remains committed to the strategy it
announced last year to eliminate the cash deficit over its
first term while significantly reducing the accrual deficit.
Achieving fiscal sustainability means making choices, and
last year, the responsible choices were difficult to make.
By carefully balancing expenditures, My Government
secured and enhanced a host of social and economic
development programs that are vital to families and
communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
The result is that we have begun to get a better handle on
our fiscal challenges. My Government invested in health care, education,
justice and safety, assistance for children and families,
and support for Aboriginal communities. To promote
new opportunities, My Government invested in
infrastructure, municipalities, business growth, and
resource development. To promote openness and good
governance, My Government brought forward measures
to enhance planning, effectiveness, and accountability.
This year and in the years that follow, My Government
will continue to identify and implement responsible
measures that improve the way the people’s government
functions. Through the program renewal process initiated last year,
we have identified areas of strength and places where
service delivery can be improved. As the process evolved,
so did our focus.
Program renewal cannot be an isolated initiative: it is
also a frame of mind, an attitude. Our public service
must always be striving to improve, enhance, and
modernize programs and services.
Through program renewal, we have identified and started
many positive, forward-thinking initiatives, but others will
take time and strategy to implement.
In the coming year, My Government has plans for another
extensive legislative agenda. In the Spring sitting of
the Legislature, amendments will be introduced to the
Smoke-free Environment Act to provide for a 100% ban on
the use of tobacco in all public places. Amendments to
the Wild Life Act will be introduced to provide greater
enforcement and increased penalties for violations of the
Act, especially related to inland fish species. And further
automobile insurance reforms are expected to be brought
forward based on the review by the Public Utilities Board
and the Department of Government Services.
Building Stronger Federal-Provincial Relations
top Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:
My Government is also deeply committed to a
continued partnership and positive relationship with
the Government of Canada.
There have been tensions in recent months, but both sides
are motivated to build a smooth working relationship in
order to advance the fortunes of Newfoundland and
Labrador and of Canada generally.
That desire resulted in the Atlantic Accord 2005. My
Government is committed to build on this success and
other achievements, such as the welcome new attention
to health funding, foreign overfishing, and 5-Wing Goose
Bay. In September of 2004, My Government was proud to
be a part of an important agreement among the federal,
provincial, and territorial governments on the provision
of substantial new funding for health care. It was proud
to help strengthen Canada’s Equalization Program.
Additionally, at My Government’s urging, Prime
Minister Paul Martin has drawn international attention
to the scourge of unsustainable foreign fishing on our
continental shelf. There have also been discussions
and initiatives with respect to infrastructure, economic
development, education, research, the federal presence
in this province, and many other issues.
Other significant issues await our concerted efforts in
the months and years ahead. My Government this year
will focus on fisheries management, post-secondary
educational infrastructure, child care, pharmacare,
home care, regional economic development, culture,
transportation services and infrastructure, energy
development, and a range of other priorities.
A Time for Heroes
top
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly: As our
people and My Government work to shape a brighter
future, we remind ourselves that we are limited only by
the breadth and depth of our dreams. In recent months,
our people have dared to dream dreams that push far
beyond the limits of our circumstances. Our confidence
in our future has never been stronger than it is today.
Our pride in ourselves has never been more secure than
it is today. Our hopes for tomorrow have never been
greater, yet we remain wholly grounded in reality.
Why? Because we have rediscovered something essential
about ourselves that we were in danger of forgetting. If
tribulation had made defeatists of our ancestors, none
of us would be here. Our very existence is a testament
to the grit, determination, and humanitarianism of the
heroes who built this place. These soils are rich with
their blood, the seas salty with the sweat of their labour.
We are humbled by the magnitude of our legacy. It is on
the shoulders of giants that we stand. How could we ever
fall when we stand with heroes so great!
Let us never forget that these heroes stood, not alone,
but side by side. At Beaumont Hamel, they fought and
died bravely, side by side. On the merciless seas, they
gave their lives, side by side. On the flakes and in the
fields, they worked themselves into early graves, side by
side. We will not loosen this albatross from our necks and
achieve the prosperity we so richly deserve unless we vow
that we will do so together, side by side.
The time has come for new heroes to step forward:
men, women, and young people who can build their
community, grow our economy, foster cooperation, and
inspire the confidence we need to pursue our dreams
together.
Mr. Speaker, Members: We will not forget the legacy that
makes us strong; but with renewed pride, we will build a
new future of opportunity and self-reliance that is truly
deserving of its illustrious heritage. This year, we will
seize the opportunities to grow our economy and invest
in our culture. And we will do so together, side by side.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:
Estimates of expenditure will be laid before you in due
course and you will be asked to grant supply to Her
Majesty. I invoke God’s blessing upon you as you commence this
new Session. May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberation. |