In February 2000, a ministerial committee was formed, in part to assist the development of military training at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Goose Bay.

Since then, provincial ministers and officials have held numerous meetings with the Department of National Defence (DND) in an effort to enhance current training activities at CFB Goose Bay and to discuss new military training opportunities in Labrador.

The province will continue to work with the Institute for Environmental Monitoring and Research and DND to ensure military training at CFB Goose Bay remains compatible with Labrador's sensitive ecosystem.

In June 2000, the Italian Air Force joined those of Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in conducting long-term military flight training in Labrador. The province will continue to work with DND and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay to attract additional Allies to Labrador.

Government signed a new Labrador Benefits Agreement on February 9, 2000 and major improvements were made. The agreement provides provincial employees who work in Labrador with extra benefits intended to help offset the cost of living in (and travelling to and from) the region.

This was the first renegotiation of the agreement since it came into effect in May 1990, and ensures fair treatment of employees regardless of their job status (permanent, part-time or temporary).

Over the three-year life of the agreement, the Labrador Allowance will increase anywhere from 27 per cent to 63 per cent, depending on the geographical location of employees.

The Department of Works, Services and Transportation contributes $300,000 annually to the Air Foodlift subsidy. The subsidy, available to all coastal Labrador communities, goes into effect about 10 days after marine coastal services stop due to weather conditions.

The subsidy, administered by the South Eastern Aurora Development Association, ensures perishable items such as fruit, vegetables and dairy products are available to coastal communities during the winter months.

The Department of Government Services and Lands has hired a new highway enforcement officer for Labrador, enabling year-round enforcement of regulations relating to legal weights on roads, truck inspections and transportation of dangerous goods.

Ongoing construction of the Trans-Labrador Highway, along with other highway improvements, resulted in a need for this increased highway enforcement.

The move is designed to protect our highways and improve public safety.

Since 1997, Canada Post Corporation has been increasing its parcel service rates to recover the growing cost of shipping to and from northern and remote area.

The provincial government pressed Canada Post Corporation and the federal government to reverse these increases, and was pleased when Canada Post announced in March 2000 that communities with viable surface transportation for at least six months of the year have been removed from the Air Stage program and will pay lower ground transportation rates.

Communities which benefitted from this decision are Forteau, L'Anse Amour, L'Anse au Clair, L'Anse au Loup, Red Bay, Harbour Deep and West St. Modeste.

Unfortunately, higher rates continue to apply to destinations requiring year-round air service for the delivery of parcels. On October 1, 2000, Canada Post Corporation applied another 25 per cent increase for regular mail to Labrador residents. Government will therefore continue its pressure on the Minister Responsible for Canada Post Corporation to ensure that Canada Post treats rural and northern Canadians in a fair and equitable manner.