Yvonne Jones, Opposition critic for natural resource, is questioning why the provincial government is not involved with a plan to study a new transportation link from the Labrador Trough to the port of Sept-Iles to transport iron ore products to market.
“I am appalled that Quebec interests are proceeding with a feasibility study to construct a new railway that will transport Labrador resources, yet our own government is nowhere to be seen,” Jones said in a news release issued today. “This is our resource and we should reap the maximum benefits of the mining, processing, and transporting of that resource.”
The Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair Liberal MHA was responding to a report that Canadian National Railway, Caisse de depot (Caisse), and several mining companies in Labrador and Northern Quebec are proceeding with a feasibility study to construct a new rail line and port facilities to transport iron ore out of the Labrador Trough. The Quebec government’s Plan Nord envisions CN and the Caisse developing a new 800-kilometre rail line from Sept-Iles to the Labrador Trough.
“I believe the time has come for the Dunderdale Government to complete a feasibility study on constructing a rail line and port facility within Labrador that will transport our resources to market,” said Jones. “The port of Sept-Iles was nothing more than a fishing village before the development of iron ore facilities in Labrador West and Schefferville. Now it is a booming community.”
Jones said she’s concerned that if the province doesn’t take full control of the development of its iron ore resources, it will be another opportunity lost for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
