"The announcement of a wage freeze by the Premier this week has caused alarm bells to ring all over Labrador," said Mr. Andersen. "Labrador MHAs have worked very hard over the past number of years recruiting nurses, teachers, social workers, doctors and other professionals to work in Labrador.

"These workers are often offered much more lucrative positions in other areas. Labrador must compete with the Island, other provinces and other countries to recruit and retain these important workers. To hear that the province will freeze the wages of civil servants who face the highest cost of living in the country is unfair. The progress we have made has been set back by the Premier’s statement.

"In my own district of Torngat Mountains, we face challenges unknown to most Canadians. There is a level of dependence on our education, health care and social work professionals that cannot be altered without drastic consequences. I ask the Premier to understand and respect the situation we have in many parts of Labrador."