As politicians leave Labrador West, the region's leaders say now the real work begins

Labrador City Mayor Belinda Adams says she feels optimistic for the future following a three-day summit on the future of Labrador West but the work can't stop now that politicians and stakeholders leave the region. (Submitted by Belinda Adams)

Now that politicians and industry representatives from across Newfoundland and Labrador have wrapped up a summit on the future of Labrador West, the region's leaders say the three days of discussion won't mean anything without action.

Labrador City Mayor Belinda Adams told reporters Wednesday she's optimistic for the future following the Future of Labrador West Summit but all parties need to back up what they say.

"We need actions. We need action lists. We need to assign the action list and who it goes to," Adams said. "We do have to all get back together and see how we pull this off. Can't walk away after all these conversations."

The economic development forum, which wrapped up Wednesday, focused on topics like health care, housing, mining and energy. One theme that emerged from discussions was the importance of collaboration among leaders, stakeholders and multiple levels of government.

Adams said Labrador West and Wabush need to be thought of as more than just mining towns for the region to prosper.

"People keep saying we're a mining town. We need to change that mentality. We're not a mining town, but we're a town with a mine," Adams said.

"We got to change the mentality, not be afraid to take risks.… We need to pull on all those strings to get that right and make sure we are a town with a mine and grow and develop."

Wabush Mayor Ron Barron, who spoke Wednesday about the region's lack of available housing, said it's been a problem for over a decade. Barron says the provincial government needs to do more as housing development becomes more costly and challenging.

Wabush Mayor Ron Barron says the provincial government needs to invest more in Labrador West. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

"I guess the government sees a need, now they've got to do something here," he said.

Government has to 'face the music' on challenges in Lab West: MHA

Jordan Brown, the NDP MHA for Labrador West, said it was good to see Premier Andrew Furey and the government commit to travelling to the region to hear first-hand the problems residents face.

Now that they know the problems, he said, he's hoping for concrete solutions soon.

"Nothing in that room was said that I have not brought up in the House of Assembly in the last five years. And now they have to face the music," he said. "If they think they can just leave this town and not act on anything that came out of that room, they have another thing coming."

Labrador West MHA Jordan Brown says the government has known about many of the issues discussed at the summit for years. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

Brown pointed to comments made Tuesday by Iron Ore Company of Canada CEO Mike McCann, who cited an economic study that suggested Labrador West has an opportunity to build the province's gross domestic product by almost two per cent if projects being explored are greenlighted.

McCann told CBC News on Tuesday the company — which owns the iron ore mine in Labrador City — aims to stay in the region but faces hurdles like climate change and the need for adequate housing, daycare and education in Labrador West.

"Here's the government receiving this massive boon from the region, and the possibility of doubling it, and I can't get no straight answers out of these people," Brown said. "The population here knows that now, so they have to face the fact that there has to be some return in investment from what we contribute to the province right now."

Barron said the government has to step up if the region wants to prosper and build for future generations.

"I want a piece of the pie now. We pay for the pie, we're sick of the crumbs," he said.

"Start giving us some investment back into our community to grow our towns and benefit the province."

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