The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works:

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on some of our government’s large-scale infrastructure projects that will improve the way we provide critical services.

While the pandemic has impacted our province, progress has continued to be made on these projects, which provide vital employment to those involved in the construction industry.

Work continues on our long-term care homes in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor and the construction of the new west coast hospital in Corner Brook reached a significant milestone when first steel was erected in April.

Construction also continues on new schools in Gander, Paradise, Bay Roberts and St. Alban’s.

Evaluations have begun on the submissions for the new adult mental health and addictions hospital and we look forward to announcing the successful proponent this summer.

Officials in my department are also finalizing the documents to issue a Request for Qualifications for a new correctional facility to replace her Majesty’s Penitentiary.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, we marked the completion of construction of the 145-bed Corner Brook Long-Term Care Home in February. Western Health has begun moving residents into this modern home and precautions are in place to prevent the potential transmission of COVID-19 in the residence.

I am pleased to inform my Honourable colleagues that 95 per cent of the people working on these construction sites are from Newfoundland and Labrador and we are always looking for other ways to ensure tradespeople from this province benefit from these projects.

Mr. Speaker, we are excited about the jobs these projects are creating for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We look forward to when construction is completed and we can say good bye to the antiquated pieces of infrastructure they are replacing.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.