The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs, along with the Labrador West Alliance, has returned from a best practices tour to the Northwest Territories.

The purpose of the trip was to strengthen regional resilience and prosperity by learning from the lived experience and proven practices of the Northwest Territories as they relate to the Labrador West region.

The delegation included officials from the Department of Labrador Affairs, the Towns of Labrador City and Wabush, Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC), Champion Iron and the Labrador West Chamber of Commerce.

Meetings were held with city officials, the local chamber of commerce, Government of Northwest Territories officials, as well as airlines and realtors. Independent meetings were conducted between Minister Dempster, Department of Labrador Affairs officials and the Deputy Premier and two other Ministers of the Government of the Northwest Territories. See backgrounder below.

Primary topics of discussion focused on arctic and northern security, energy supply, search and rescue, air access, mining, housing and labour market readiness.

Quotes
“The Northwest Territories and Labrador West are very similar in their economic and industrial sectors. Both regions are grappling with housing shortages, energy shortages, geographical distances, search and rescue issues and labour markets. This trip provided an opportunity to discuss solutions, ideas and lessons to benefit not only the Labrador West region, but Labrador as a whole.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs

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BACKGROUNDER

In 2023, the Labrador West Alliance was formed with the mandate of examining the effects of mining development in Labrador West and considering requirements to support community in light of major mineral development expansion. The membership of the alliance includes the Provincial Government, the towns of Labrador City and Wabush, ACOA, Labrador West Chamber of Commerce and mining companies (Rio Tinto-IOC, Tacora and Champion Iron).

The chair rotates on an annual basis with IOC and Labrador City acting as current co-chairs. Meetings are held quarterly alternating between Labrador West and St. John’s.

While in Yellowknife, the Minister of Labrador Affairs and her officials met independently with territorial ministers:

• The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister Responsible for Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains, and Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
• The Honourable Vince McKay, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Minister of Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission and Minister Responsible for the Public Utilities Board.
• The Honourable Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.