Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Terre- Neuve et Labrador 37e 4e Discours du Trône 4 décembre 1978 Gordon Arnaud Winter Lieutenant Gouverneur PC I welcome you to the Fourth Session of the 37th General Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland. This House of Assembly opens at a time of confidence and optimism among our people. This Province has known m ore than its share of economic hardships, but today there is indeed just cause for optimism. In my last address to this Assembly, we were eagerly looking forward to the visit to our Province of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness, the Prince Philip, and family. Their visit was a time of great personal and national satisfaction. We are proud to be Newfoundlanders and Canadians. We are also proud to be part of the Commonwealth. Her Majesty has since informed me of her appreciation for the warm hospitality and for the many and sincere expressions of loyalty and affection which they received from all parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. We were also honoured in 1978 to be the host Province for the Canada Games for the Physically Disabled. Their determination in spite of disadvantage was in a way symbolic of the history of the people of this Province. We are glad that they were able to be with us. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: Six years ago My Government accepted the challenge of building in this Province a sound economy within an equitable social fabric. My Ministers can be pleased with the progress. Per capita income in 1977 was $5,048, over twice the figure of $2,455 for 1972. Retail trade figures show that our people at this Christmas Season have more spending power than ever before. Our children have better clothes. Our youth have better educational opportunities. There are more refrigerators per capita, more telephones per capita, more washing machines, and more automobiles. The standard of housing is higher. We have more miles of paved road, more homes with indoor plumbing, and more homes with electricity. There are better hospitals, more senior citizens homes, and better schools. In the midst of talk about regional disparities when compared to other parts of this great nation, ... with a Department of Industrial Development. Regional offices were established around the Province by the Departments of Fisheries and Forestry and Agriculture. In particular, Government presence in Labrador has been strengthened. Further, My Ministers and officials have travelled extensively throughout the Province to hold meetings and obtain the comments and advice of the people with respect to the policies and programs of their government. The result of this process has been the forging of a stronger developmental dialogue between Government and people. It is by working together that we will continue into the 1980's to further enhance our prosperity. My Government wishes to acknowledge the important role of the Government of Canada as partners with us in social and economic development. We particularly refer to the manner in which the Department of Regional Economic Expansion has been responding to provincial priorities. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: The best example of My Government's concern for development in all regions of the Province is the recently revealed regional fisheries development strategy. My Government firmly believes that the resources of the sea will be the mainstay of our economy. The fisheries will be the most important growth component for the foreseeable future. Fish landings will increase in volume and value. Employment will increase and incomes will ... The regional fisheries development strategy is based on the best data available on our fisheries resource, harvesting technology, processing requirements, and markets. Officials of the federal Department of Fisheries were involved. The fishermen have been consulted, and their views will continue to be taken into account. The fishermen's union has been asked for its views. The Fisheries Association of Newfoundland and Labrador will likewise have opportunity to comment. Peninsula and Northeast Coast. This will create additional employment in communities from Bonavista to Trepassey. Plants in Catalina, Arnold's Cove, Port de Grave, Hant's Harbour, Fermeuse, Charleston, and other towns are part of this plan. The benefits clearly will extend far beyond the port of Harbour Grace. My Ministers will introduce legislation to establish a Fish Procurement and Distribution Corporation (FPDC) to operate the port. Other activities of the Corporation will include the acquisition of fishing vessels by charter, purchase, or construction; the chartering of vessels to fishing companies; the buying of fish; the selling of fish to processing plants; and arrangements relating to the unloading, handling, storage and distribution of fish as they pertain to the Primary Centre concept. The activities of the Corporation will complement private sector initiatives and it will be dissolved once domestic harvesting operations can ensure adequate supplies of fish to processing plants on a continuing basis. The FPDC will be a Crown Corporation reporting directly to the Minister of Fisheries, and its Board of Directors will include representatives of Federal and Provincial Governments, industry, plant workers, and fishermen. The Corporation will be established on January 1,1979, at which time a Chief Executive Officer will be appointed. My Government will begin immediately an engineering assessment of all inshore ports to determine what facilities will be required. Initial emphasis will be given to those ports which account for the major share of inshore fish landings. Consultants will be required to meet with local Fishermen's Committees in the course of their work. The Small Craft Harbours Branch of the federal Department of Fisheries and Environment will be directly involved in all phases of planning and implementation of harbour improvements. Fishermen of this Province are unanimous in their praise for the Marine Service Centre Program. It is planned to extend this program to upgrade a number of existing centres and to construct several new facilities at introduced into the fleet over the next seven years. Special attention will be focused on the Labrador Region and a special vessel assistance program for resident Labrador fishermen will be introduced on April 1, 1979. My Government will ask naval architects to design a special multipurpose vessel for use in the seal fishery. Harvesting of seals is important in the context of fisheries management, and contributes substantially to the incomes of fishermen in certain sections of the Province. It is our aim to ensure that Newfoundland continues to take a leading role in this traditional industry. Regulations will be introduced with respect to the transportation of fish in non-insulated conveyances. Additional ice-making capacity will be provided, and better fish handling facilities constructed. My Government will take definite steps to increase cold storage capacity. The Province is already refurbishing 3,000 metric tons of capacity at Argentia. In addition, new facilities of 5,000 tons capacity each will be constructed on the Northeast and West Coasts. These facilities will be strategically located to receive finished product from a number of plants. My Government will continue its policy of complementing and assisting the private sector in processing and marketing. We must extract the maximum employment and incomes from the raw material provided by our fishermen. In support of this objective, My Government will 1. Increase the maximum level of secondary processing incentives; 2. Give companies which are planning secondary processing activity preference in the leasing of provincially-owned fish plants; 3. Undertake an assessment of the centres where secondary processing is most feasible and seek development proposals for further processing activity in these centres. Funding assistance will be awarded in support of viable proposals: 4. Place increased emphasis on new fish product development. A new product development laboratory, construction of which has already commenced, is being established in conjunction with the College of Fisheries. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: My Government was extremely pleased to have been able to announce the sale of the Labrador Linerboard Mill to private interests. With the continued cooperation of the Government of Canada, all arrangements should shortly be completed so that the mill may become a healthy component of our forest industry, providing steady employment and high incomes for workers of Stephenville and the Bay St. George area. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: For over fifty years the forests of Newfoundland have provided a solid base for a large portion of our economy. They should continue to do so indefinitely, but we must make investments now to guarantee better forests for future generations. My Government has just completed a five-year forestry development plan, and is ready to embark on another five-year program. Beginning in 1979, My Government will expand reforestation of areas ravaged by the spruce budworm. Disease resistant spruce will replace balsam fir. The output of the provincial tree nursery will be doubled from six million to twelve million seedlings per year. My Government will continue large scale programs to salvage dead and damaged timber on both Crown and company lands. First priority will be given to high unemployment areas such as Bay d'Espoir. We will be availing of the opportunity of using Canada Manpower funds for this and other forest improvement activities. Insect control will be a major concern in 1979. The spruce budworm epidemic has moved eastward from its previous concentration on the west coast, and over 5 million cords of timber are dead or dying. My Government will research and apply the most suitable means of controlling this enormous danger to our forest. The forest access road program will be continued. By the end of the pulp mills and other specialty plants to use wood outside the economic radius of the major pulp and paper mills. An extensive pilot project has been completed in cooperation with the two pulp and paper companies into cable logging on steep slopes. This project involved visits to Scotland where this technology is highly developed. It has now been proven commercially feasible to harvest thousands of cords of wood which had been inaccessible. To encourage the use of this technology, My Government has arranged for the Community College in Stephenville to give a course in steep slope logging next year. The feasibility of whole tree chipping of hardwoods for use as a fuel supplement is being tested in a pilot project being conducted by My Government and Price Newfoundland Ltd. of Grand Falls. In addition to savings in fuel costs, forest stands will be cleared for replacement by commercial softwood species. My Government believes that we must strive to make full use of our forest resources. To this end regulations will be introduced to minimize waste in harvesting operations. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: It is a dominant policy of My Government to stimulate the development of all our primary resources. Agriculture is becoming more important to our economy, with farm cash income exceeding $20 million in 1 977. My Government will introduce programs to supply fresh, quality produce at competitive prices, and to raise significantly our percentage self-sufficiency over the next five years. For example, by 1983 Newfoundland will grow 60 percent of its vegetables, compared to 30 per cent at present. Milk and pork production each should meet 29 per cent of local demand instead of the present 16 per cent. Whereas we now produce 20 per cent of our lamb consumption, by 1983 we will produce 36 per cent, and 90 per. cent of eggs. These targets will be achieved through several agricultural areas. Veterinary services will be improved and new laboratories constructed at the Mount Pearl Experimental Farm. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: Mineral resources provide the largest single component in our Gross Provincial Product, and potential exists for new developments in uranium, base and precious metals, and industrial minerals. The new Mineral Holdings Impost Act requires claim holders to invest in exploration or forfeit claims. Mineral exploration is now at an all-time high in terms of the number of companies involved, the range of minerals sought, and the distribution of exploration activities. You will be asked to approve an amendment to The Mineral Act to provide for the reversion to the Crown of any mining lease on which production has ceased, regardless of previous legislation under which properties were obtained. We will continue our very successful program of geoscientific and resource evaluation surveys under the Mineral Development Subsidiary Agreement. My Government is very concerned to assist the town of Buchans to adjust to the impending closure of the mine. In line with existing policy, an industrial development officer will be assigned to Buchans early in 1979. My Government has just signed an agreement with the Government of Canada to establish the Lower Churchill Development Corporation. That Corporation will be incorporated under federal charter, and will begin a new phase of development of the massive hydro electric resources of Labrador. The Corporation will be seeking to remove all obstacles to the recommencement of construction work in the Lower Churchill basin. My Government is working now to attract energy intensive industries to Labrador, as well as ultimately provide a transmission line to the Island. My Government has approved a multi-year program by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to replace diesel generators at a number of communities with lines to the provincial hydro network. At present, it appears economic to construct lines to Mud Lake, Gallants, Long Island, Greenspond, Change and gas exploration was proven to be wise and prudent. Drilling resumed and another major gas strike resulted. Imperial Oil has just announced its plans to drill in 1979, and as many as ten operations may be going simultaneously. In 1978 some $40 million was spent by the oil companies, and expenditures in 1979 could be close to $200 million. Through the Petroleum Regulations, My Government is well equipped to maximize benefits to Newfoundland in terms of direct employment and expenditure on goods and services within the Province. A manpower information system is already in place to match jobs with people. Funds have already been received from oil companies to establish training courses to meet the needs of offshore operators. Companies will be increasing their research and development expenditures in this Province. Nevertheless, My Government will give highest priority to environmental controls. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: My Government has taken steps recently towards the creation of a year-round, deep water port in Labrador. The demand for such a port is coming from potential heavy industry based on energy from the Lower Churchill, possible development of offshore oil and gas, and development of vast iron ore reserves in western Labrador. My Government has requested the Government of Canada to put an icebreaker in Lake Melville this month during the period of ice ridging. Certain ice studies will be undertaken over this winter, and perhaps the "M.V. Arctic" will conduct ice trials in Lake Melville next spring. If the shipping season can be extended, My Government envisages the ultimate development of a major port linked to western Labrador by an all-weather highway and a railway. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: My Government has carefully studied the tourism industry in our Province and is pleased to explain its policies and plans for this industry. These policies and plans take into account the needs of Newfoundlanders who wish to vacation in their own Province, and also the needs of our visitors. A model fishing project will be constructed in a community to be announced. This exhibit will include a typical home, surrounding buildings, and a fishing stage, all in conjunction with a gift shop and a restaurant with traditional menu. My Government will construct specially designed cottages for seasonal use by travellers to rural portions of our Province. Roadside chalets and information plazas will direct tourists to points of interest. Package tours will be developed which will emphasize scenic routes, fishing trips, and wilderness hikes. My Government will build three hundred new campsites over the next five years. Hospitality and catering training program will also be introduced. My Government accords high priority to management of wildlife resources. The Hunter Safety Program will be extended next year. Measures will be devised to combat flagrant, extensive poaching, and game laws will be rigidly enforced. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: My Government in 1972 began a program of rural development which involved the people of rural areas in planning their economic destinies. Thirty-six Rural Development Associations are now active. They have documented specific areas of potential development. It is a process that is unique in Canada and which is attracting international attention. The rainbow trout farm project of the Upper Trinity South Development Association is an outstanding example of work that is being done by these Associations. By 1980, 300,000 pounds of trout should be ready for market. The Twillingate-New World Island Development Association was responsible for a filleting operation at Herring Neck. In Grand Falls a food preserving centre is being established. Other projects are a smokehouse project in Greenspond, a fish processing plant in Argentia, a greenhouse in the Labrador Straits area, and a fisheries development project at Port Kirwan. Over the next four months, and a promotional program is in effect through gift shows and sales in other Parts of Canada. In order to facilitate marketing of Newfoundland products of all types, My Government will create a Newfoundland and Labrador Exposition Centre in St. John's. This will be a display and sales outlet for manufactured products, preserved foods and crafts. All products will be identified as meeting standards of excellence. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: My Ministers will bring before this Honourable House such legislative changes as will be necessary to implement the announced government reorganization of departments and responsibilities. These changes are part of the efforts of My Government to improve the level of services despite tight financial constraints. My Government will make plans this year to establish a provincial Resource Development Bank. This bank will centralize all lending operations of various agencies and departments of Government. Loan applicants will deal with one set of approval criteria and application procedures. Accounting will be computerized, and operations will in most respects resemble those of a commercial bank. My Government is confident that this will improve the service to the business community and give better control and administration. My Government is proud of the progress that has been achieved in recent years in the health care system and in social services. During this session, My Government will reveal its long range hospital construction plan. Our emphasis will continue to be on prevention of disease and social ills, rather than on cures and corrective measures. Budgetary provision will be made to expand health education, particularly with respect to nutrition and prenatal care, and other community-based services. Our objective is to help people make better use of the facilities and services being offered. All possible support will be given to programs of physical fitness and recreation, which have been shown to contribute so much to the general well-being of ... My Government plans to continue implementing the recommendations of the Gushue Report. In addition to improving the safety and level of care offered by institutions, My Ministers will be examining the entire system of care for the elderly. My Government believes that many senior citizens could be better served by home support services than by institutions. With some assistance, families will be able to continue the tradition of caring for the elderly to the benefit of all. My Government notes with concern the increasing problems in our society associated with alcohol consumption. It is a contributor to poverty, to family breakdown, and to crime. My Government will seek to control liquor advertising, and increase its information programs. We will examine whether there is a need for further controls on licensed outlets, particularly with reference to hours during which liquor is available. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: My Government will be presenting a new Municipalities Act for your consideration. The new Act will be based primarily on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Municipal Government. With respect to capital projects, work will continue on the Waterford Valley Trunk Sewer, the St. John's Urban Region Water Supply, and the Exploits Valley Regional Water Supply. Work will commence on the Northeast Trunk Sewer in St. John's. In Labrador, My Government will conduct Community Planning Studies in all major coastal communities which will prepare the way for designing roads and water and sewer systems appropriate to the special conditions there. With the reorganization of Departments, My Government will transfer the responsibility for occupational health and safety in mines to the Department of Labour and Manpower. Priority attention will be devoted to resolving dust problems at Labrador City. My Government will also conduct a one-year study into the levels of air contaminants in the community of Long Harbour. Amendments to consumer protection legislation will be proposed to thorough examination of all regulations will be conducted. The Economic Development Advisory Council will be asked to review the findings and report on possible changes. My Government reaffirms its commitment to reform of matrimonial law, and will be tabling a policy statement along with legislation in this Session. Representations and briefs from interested groups have been carefully studied, and a complete review of this very complex matter is being undertaken with the object of removing inequities with respect to the rights of both marriage partners. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: My Government will embark on major new initiatives in education. We have accepted the recommendation of the Minister's Advisory Committee to introduce Grade XII on a phased basis, beginning in September, 1980 with the Grade X class. Details will be presented to this Session in due course. A second initiative will be to enrich the school curriculum with more Newfoundland and Labrador content, especially in literature, history, and culture. A comprehensive history of Newfoundland and Labrador will be commissioned. In keeping with our emphasis on developing Newfoundland expertise in resource development, a special scholarship program will be established for graduates of Memorial University to further their studies in the physical sciences associated with the fishery, oil and gas, forestry and mining. My Government intends to introduce an exciting new concept to harness the enthusiastic and adventurous spirit of the youth of our Province. Early in the New Year we will unveil the framework for the establishment of a Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Corps, a concept which will represent a pioneer move for our Province. The Corps will enable a selected number of young Newfoundlanders to interact in a highly planned and disciplined fashion with many aspects of our way of life, including exposure to the northern environment, practical participation in experimental marine ventures, novel agrarian, forestry, and geological activities, and other ... As a focal point for the Province's activities during the International Year of the Child, a Conference will be held to discuss fundamental issues relating to our children. These issues will include child nutrition, the care of children, and the rights of children before the law. Consideration will be given to the appointment of a Children's Advocate in the Department of Justice and particular emphasis will be given to the prevention of child abuse. A number of special activities will be undertaken to harness the energies of children through organized groups and to channel these into meaningful projects. Investigations have been completed into the Judicature Act and replacement statutes will be presented for your approval. My Government will introduce a Small Claims Act and a revised Summary Jurisdiction Act. My Government will submit a new Elections Act for your consideration. This Act will establish regulations concerning election expenses and contributions. The Public Accounts for the period ending March 31, 1978, will be placed before you, for your usual thorough review. You will be asked to grant supply to Her Majesty. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: It is with much assurance and eagerness that My Government presents this report and program of action for your consideration. There is an air of optimism among our people in this Province. This is a good place to live. People don't want to leave. Newcomers want to stay, not because of low taxes or low cost of living, but because we have a pleasant and humane society. In 1978 there is a contagious consciousness abroad that this Province is on the threshold of bigger and better things. Our people deserve it, and they want to be part of it. Our resource foundation is firm; our goals realizable. My Government is committed to apply itself diligently to its task. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: I invoke God's blessing upon you as you commence Your labours in this Honourable Assembly.