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Wally Andersen, Opposition Labrador and Aboriginal
Affairs Critic and MHA for the District of Torngat Mountains, says that
government should seriously consider moving the Department of Aboriginal
Affairs to Labrador. "A great suggestion was
made this week to transfer the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to
Labrador," said Andersen. "Aboriginal leaders have expressed concerns about
the cost and inconvenience of travel from Labrador to St. John’s for
meetings that could easily be held in Goose Bay or elsewhere in Labrador. It
makes great sense to place an office for the senior officials and a Minister
in Labrador to oversee the important issues that need to be addressed on an
ongoing basis.
"The Premier made a number of commitments to the
people of Labrador when he was elected in 2003. The focus of these
commitments was to place a greater importance on Labrador being included in
the decision-making processes of government. With the signing of the new
historic land claims deal and the countless issues of concern that have to
be addressed on a daily basis, it makes perfect sense for government to
place its own Aboriginal Affairs officials in Labrador."
Andersen says he has some concerns about Labrador
issues that have not been addressed by government. "The Premier campaigned
in Labrador on a promise to open a Premier’s Office in Goose Bay as
recognition of the need and diverse interests that exist in Labrador. We
still do not have a Deputy Minister for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs and
there is still no indication of when, or if, the Premier’s Office will open.
Government was able to move forward with plans to open an office in Ottawa
last Summer, I cannot see why no action has been taken to open the office in
Labrador. It was also unfortunate that one of the first decisions made by
Premier Williams was to appoint a cabinet that did not include Labrador
representation." |