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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Labrador Affairs Critic and MHA for the District of
Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair, says without their annual government grant,
the Labrador Combined Councils will have to lay off staff and likely close
its office this month.
"While the previous Liberal government realized the necessity of this
group, and acknowledged the work that it does by increasing its funding, the
current government has slashed funding to the extent that it will no longer
be an effective voice for its citizens," said Jones.
After 33 years of representing municipalities in Labrador, Jones is
worried that government has not only crippled the Combined Councils but put
its very existence in jeopardy.
"Government has suggested that an annual meeting with Cabinet is enough
to meet this group’s objectives. What government fails to realize, however,
is the amount of work this group does all year round. It is a valuable
organization in the functioning of Labrador communities, and the refusal to
allocate funding is yet another indication of how out of touch this
government is to the needs of the people of Labrador."
The Liberal MHA believes there is support within government for the
Combined Councils, but that the Premier and the Minister of Municipal and
Provincial Affairs refuse to listen. She urges her fellow Labrador MHAs to
support funding for the Combined Councils. "As past president of the
Combined Councils, I know in his heart that the member for Lake Melville
realizes the value of this group. I ask John Hickey to stand up for his
constituents and not worry about the threat of ending up alongside Fabian
Manning." |