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Judy Foote, Opposition Critic for Industry, Trade and Rural Development and
MHA for the District of Grand Bank, has charged that the provincial
government’s lack of attention and action in rural regions is disastrous for
rural revitalization, as well as discouraging to the people of the province.
"It is clear that government lacks any momentum on this vital issue and any
strategy that it may declare is in place is certainly not working," Foote
stated. "Rural Newfoundland and Labrador is being wiped out, even as the
Premier and his ministers shamelessly pat themselves on the backs as
standing shoulder to shoulder with those who live in these neglected areas.
"If they want to stand next to our rural population, they may have to
perch themselves in other provinces because that is where a great many of
them are relocating. Families are leaving daily for Alberta in search of
work, not only on the Burin Peninsula but in other areas of the province
including the Northern Peninsula. These areas are simply in a state of
crisis. Naturally, they are looking for some direction and some innovative
measures from this administration that will help them deal with their
current and any long-term challenges.
"When the people of this province elected Premier Williams and his
government, they did so on the basis that he had a so-called grand plan that
would address the real issues of rural development and revitalization.
Nearly three years into its mandate, this government is stuck in a muddle of
wishful thinking that if they spout the word strategy long enough, something
might actually materialize. If this is the Premier’s idea of real leadership
and a new approach, I suggest he go back to the drawing board and try
again."
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