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Liberal Opposition Leader Gerry Reid is strongly urging government to bring
forward an action plan for the revival of the Great Northern Peninsula,
given the urgent nature of the problems facing that region.
Following what has been a successful and informative visit by the Liberal
caucus to the Great Northern Peninsula last week, Reid says he is more fully
appreciative of the many concerns plaguing the area and of the clear need
for a comprehensive plan lead by government to tackle the multitude of
outstanding issues.
"Our caucus met with many associations and individuals and we heard a
great deal of desperation and frustration expressed in their presentations
about the lack of attention being shown to this area of the province," says
Reid. "This government has been derelict when it comes to addressing rural
issues and the Great Northern Peninsula is certainly feeling the
repercussions of this neglect as it struggles on a daily basis to deal with
issues of unemployment, a fishery downturn, out-migration, as well as
challenging infrastructure and municipal matters."
Last week government announced that a strategic revival plan is being
created for the Labrador region. "As much as we strongly applaud the
creation of a plan to generate economic wealth and inclusion for Labrador, I
would suggest to the premier that all regions of this province deserve the
same application of interest and effort by this government to ensure that
social benefits are realized and solid financial investments are made. The
Great Northern Peninsula deserves equal opportunities to contribute to the
economy of our province and to sustain their economies and population base
with short term and long-term initiatives. More importantly, residents
deserve a measure of hope and security that they can strengthen their lives
and communities."
Reid points to the Great Northern Peninsula Fisheries Task Force Report
that was released over six months ago and contained some 44 recommendations
to help address the many challenges facing the fisheries section and the
regional economy. "The government basically breezed in here for a few hours
and paid lip service to this valuable report. This document should be a
framework for rebuilding the fishing based economy of the rural communities
along this peninsula.
"It is high time for this premier, three years after he was elected, to
put the Great back into the Northern Peninsula in terms of enhancing its
ability to recover from the devastating impact of the groundfish sector
collapse. There is real potential in this region and the premier’s
ineffective leadership is yet again compromising this forward movement and
another region of our province remains in the grip of his neglect."
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