Provincial Liberal Party Leader affirms and strengthens Commitment to Nunatukavut Land Claim

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, November 5, 2015 – The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) today announced that Provincial Liberal Party Leader Dwight Ball affirmed and strengthened his and the Liberal Party’s full support for the acceptance of the NunatuKavut Land Claim.

Building on the commitment of Prime Minister Trudeau and his own commitment of 2013, Mr. Ball put in writing that, if he becomes Premier, his government would be a willing participant at the negotiating table.

“Mr. Ball hand-delivered his letter of support to the NunatuKavut Community Council this morning,” said Todd Russell, President of the NCC. “I’m so pleased to see such a deep level of commitment to our Land Claim. This clear and solid position would form part of the mandate of a new Provincial Liberal government and comes at a very important time.”

Perry Trimper, Liberal candidate for Lake Melville, and Lisa Dempster, Liberal candidate for Cartwright – L’Anse Au Clair, have been instrumental in helping make this a priority. They have both demonstrated their support time and again and have been backed up by their caucus colleagues.

“We are extremely appreciative that Ms. Dempster and Mr. Trimper, as well as the Liberal Party as a whole, understands and recognizes the benefits of this Land Claim to our people, our communities and to all Labradorians,” said President Russell. “Land Claims are about reconciliation and building bridges in and amongst all peoples in our nation.”

“It is about building stronger and prouder communities, and a better Canada,” added President Russell.

NCC firmly believes that a Land Claim Agreement would have a tremendous impact on securing the overall well-being of its people for many generations. It means better education, improved health care and benefits, support for elders, greater control of its own resources and increased jobs.

Prime Minister Trudeau affirmed the federal Liberal Party’ support of the NCC Land Claim during the recent federal election. In a letter, the Prime Minister reiterated his “longstanding and unwavering commitment that a Liberal government will accept the NunatuKavut Land Claim and move it to the negotiating table immediately.”

“We have reached out to Prime Minister Trudeau since the election and will work with him so that the new government honours this commitment in a timely way,” said President Russell

The NCC welcomes similar commitments from all provincial parties during this provincial election.

For regular updates, please visit our website at www.nunatukavut.ca. Please also join in the conversation at facebook.com/nunatuKavut and Twitter @nunatuKavut.

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For further information, please contact:

Kelly Nippard, Director of Communications, NCC, 709-280-5965

NT5