"I asked the Minister of Transportation, Works and Aboriginal Affairs serious questions about the impact this year’s budget will have on the residents in Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair district," said Jones. "I am very unhappy with the responses I received from the minister and it is obvious that he has no understanding of Labrador issues."

The PC government announced in the budget on March 30^th that the section of the Trans Labrador Highway from Red Bay to Lodge Bay would not be maintained during the winter months and the minister confirmed today that there would not be a contract on this road from November 1^st until May 1^st.

"I first put forth a strong position opposing the closure of the road for this period of time. The minister refused to reconsider or reinstate the service levels for this region. I then offered a compromise whereby the road would be plowed during the winter except for the months of February and March when weather conditions are traditionally harsh. The minister stated that there were no plans to make changes this year and no dollars in this year’s budget to address the problem."

The Liberal MHA is concerned this decision is not temporary and will have a long lasting impact on the coastal communities. "It has been brought to my attention that government is proposing a long-term tender, possibly five or more years, on all other sections of the highway for snow clearing."

Jones is also upset with the decision of the minster to take money from the Labrador Transportation Initiative this year to indirectly spend Labrador money to put a ferry in Lewisporte instead of Labrador infrastructure. "This money was put there to put proper infrastructure in place, not a fund for government to raid in an effort to run their own political agenda."