A Labrador MHA is criticizing the provincial government for its lack of involvement in a process that she claims could help create jobs in her area but will, instead, see them go to Quebec.
According to Ms Yvonne Jones, a feasibility study will look at creating a new rail line and port facilities for moving iron ore out of the Labrador Trough area. The study will reportedly involve Canadian National Railway, Caisse de depot et placement du Québec (which manages public pension funds), and a number of mining companies with interests in Labrador and northern Quebec.
The study relates to a lack of rail capacity to deal with the transportation of minerals in the years ahead, and Jones said investments that could benefit Labrador appear to be destined for Sept Îles, likely creating a second rail line leading to the community.
Ms Jones, the Liberal critic on natural resources, said that "Why aren't we looking at building a railway right across Labrador so that we can transport Labrador ore and ship it directly from Labrador? Why do we have to continue to do it through Sept Îles?"
Labrador Iron Mines announced last week the feasibility study will proceed.
Ms Jones said Sept Îles has benefited greatly since the Government of Quebec first introduced a rail system for transporting minerals more than 50 years ago, helping it grow from a small fishing community to a thriving town with a population exceeding 20,000.
She feels the provincial government should be pushing for a feasibility study to build rail lines leading to a port facility in Labrador. She expects such a development would create long term employment in Labrador.
She added that "We've got to have some vision of where we are going for the next 50 years in the mining industry in Labrador, and right now they are not having that vision. They are not demonstrating it in any productive way when it comes to building the infrastructure to support the industry."
A spokeswoman for Natural Resources Minister Mr Jerome Kennedy said that he would not comment on Mr Jones' concerns. She said new rail lines will help support the development of mining in the Labrador Trough and benefit the region as a whole.
She also directed The Telegram to a January 2011 report prepared for the department by Stassinu Stantec Limited. Partnership on infrastructure constraints in relation to future development of iron resources in Labrador.
According to the report, it includes an analysis of potential new port sites in Labrador and identified 22 bays and inlets suitable for harbor locations. Goose Bay was found to be the only one not located along the Strait of Belle Isle, an area where pack ice would reduce the shipping season by four to five months.
It also found that a 590 kilometer rail line connecting Ross Bay Junction, almost 360 kilometers north of Sept Îles to Goose Bay will cost USD 2.35 billion.
Source - The Telegram
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