Granter’s Throne Speech response

The following is the response by the MHA for Humber West, Vaughn Granter, to the Speech from the Throne at the Opening Session of the Forty-Sixth General Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday, March 21, 2011:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to thank His Honour the Lieutenant Governor for delivering the Throne Speech to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador today. As the newest member of this Province’s House of Assembly, let me say what a tremendous privilege it is to stand here amongst my fine colleagues and speak to the Speech from the Throne on behalf of the people of Humber West.

I must take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to my constituents for supporting and entrusting me with the responsibility to represent them in the House of Assembly. I am truly honoured to be the MHA for such a wonderful district and to serve as part of this formidable team of elected members. The Humber West former MHA left me with pretty big shoes to fill but I am dedicated to working hard and to representing the best interests of our residents. It is especially exciting to serve under the new leadership of our Province’s first female Premier. Guided by her vision and her deep passion for this Province, we will continue on our journey to building a bright future, one that is filled with prosperity, self-reliance and great pride.

Newfoundland and Labrador, what a glorious land, and we are so privileged to call it home. It has certainly undergone a drastic transformation over the past seven and a half years, a very positive transformation. The accomplishments that we have made together will no doubt have a long-lasting impact on this Province’s future. Through a host of strategic investments, coupled with prudent fiscal management, our government positions Newfoundland and Labrador well; not only were we able to survive the global economic downturn, but we continue to grow and prosper while many other places nationally and internationally struggled. In my District of Humber West, one quick look around will show tangible examples of such investments and growth. The Corner Brook area is thriving as the economic hub of the Province’s West Coast.

Over the past seven and a half years, this government has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the health and well-being of the area’s residents time and time again. In Budget 2010 alone, government made a record investment of $2.7 billion in the health care system throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Since 2003, approximately $45.5 million has been invested in capital equipment, repairs and renovations in the Western Memorial Regional Hospital; this includes nearly $33.6 million for the purchase of equipment, such as a new MRI machine and CT scanner, a digital mammography unit and diagnostic urology and laboratory equipment. Also included in the approximately $11.9 million for repairs and renovations, such as a new fire alarm system and panel, departmental upgrades, roof repairs and asbestos abatement, new medical gas monitoring alarms, a reverse osmosis water filtration system and the installation of eight new wheelchair accessible washrooms. Other significant health investments have included the Humberwood Mental Health and Addiction Centre, a new 236 bed long-term care home and protective community residences, at a total investment of $68.5 million, and work continues on the construction of a new hospital in Corner Brook.

Mr. Speaker, this government continues to work toward ensuring all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are equipped to benefit from the growing prosperity and opportunities that exist right here at home. On the West Coast, residents are benefiting from a new Career Work Centre network located in Corner Brook. Only two years ago, Corner Brook Regional High celebrated the completion of an $18 million redevelopment and extension. As a former educator, I can tell you that Newfoundland and Labrador has a quality education system which is helping to develop the young minds of this Province. In fact, since 2003, our government has increased its investment in education by 55 per cent, from $851 million to $1.3 billion. We recognize the importance of ensuring that we cultivate a well-educated population so that we, as a society, can not only compete but excel and prosper into the future.

Having just experienced a very successful by-election campaign, and speaking with people of all ages, backgrounds, throughout my district, I can assure you that there is a great sense of optimism among Newfoundlanders and Labradorians today, particularly among our youth. With so many exciting projects happening right here in our own backyards, more and more of our young people are deciding to stay at home, to build their lives and raise families here. This trend has resulted in the second consecutive year of population gains after sixteen years of decline.

Today, people of this Province are enjoying a new era of prosperity, self-reliance and great pride. We are holding our heads high as serious contributors to the nation’s economy. In fact, just last week a report on provincial spending was released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The report, entitled, Restoring Canada’s Physical Fitness, described Newfoundland and Labrador as being in a good financial position.

Over the past seven and a half years, we have reduced our public debt by approximately one-third or close to $4 billion. Employment increased by 3.3 per cent in 2010. This was the highest growth rate among the provinces, and it was also more than double the national rate. Capital investment is estimated to have grown last year by 23 per cent to $6.2 billion, and our capital investment growth ranked fourth among all provinces.

Of course, infrastructure investments have always been a priority for this government. That was especially true during the height of the global recession. Budget 2010 allocated $1 billion for provincial infrastructure investments, for a total infrastructure strategy valued at more than $5 billion over the next several years.

This substantial investment has made and continues to result in tangible improvements throughout the Province, and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador appreciate and are benefiting from that daily.

Mr. Speaker, as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we are also appreciative and protective of our rich natural resources: our fishery and aquaculture industries, our mining and exploration activity, our forestry sector, and, of course, our oil and gas industry, to name a few.

As a Newfoundlander and Labradorian, I am also excited about the development of Muskrat Falls which will deliver some of the cleanest, most economical, and safest power to this Province. I believe that as a Province we have never been better positioned to take advantage of the host of opportunities that lay before us.

Smart governance is the key to building an even brighter tomorrow for Newfoundland and Labrador. Together, this government and the people of this phenomenal Province have shown the Nation and the world what we are made of. We are invigorated, confident, and proud of who we are and our many achievements. I look forward to the many great projects ahead as we continue to build on these successes in the coming years.

On behalf of my constituents in Humber West, I proudly move that a Select Committee be appointed to draft an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Read the 2011 Speech from the Throne