Thank you to all the delegates, sponsors, partners and committee who made the Atlantic Provinces Transportation Forum and 33rd Annual Socio-Economic Conference of the Combined Councils of Labrador a huge success.

With over 150 delegates registered the conference was one of the biggest in the history of the Combined Councils of Labrador.

The 4 day combined conference started on January 27, 2005 with the Atlantic Provinces Transportation Forum. Dr. Ron Sparkes from the Labrador Institute was the conference chairperson and moderated the forum.

Plenary Speakers started with Mr. David Vardy of the Harris Centre, Memorial University.He presented on the Labrador Transportation System in a Multi-Model Context.

Dr. Frank Wilson followed Mr. Vardy.Dr. Wilson received a BScE & MScE from UNB and a PhD in Transportation and Environmental Planning from the University of Birmingham, U.K.. He returned to UNB in 1968 to co- found the Transportation Group where he has been teaching graduate transportation courses and conducting research for over 35 years.

His areas of research include : impact of transportation on regional economic development, transportation as factor in the forestry industry, transportation subsidies, transportation policy impact on economic development, transportation safety etc. At the transportation forum he presented on the role of subsidies and their affect on regional economic development. Together with Mr. John Brander of the UNB Transportation Group they both put together a special paper for the conference as well on the role of subsidies.

Dr. Wilson was followed by Richard Garson of the Halifax Regional Airport Authority.He shared his northern air industry experience and thoughts on Labrador as an Atlantic Canada northern air gateway.

He was then followed by Mr. Paul Knysh who presented on the Yukon Transportation development experience.He recently joined Yukon Engineering Services, as Vice President Transportation and Special Projects, after working in the Public Service for thirty years.

Paul graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1975, and has spent his career working on the Yukon’s highway system. Most recently this experience has been with the Government of Yukon, Transportation Engineering Branch for the past twelve years.

At lunch Peter Woodward from the Woodward Group of Companies delivered a speech on Labrador as a shipping gateway to the north.

Day one then continued with break out sessions on roads, marine and air with professional facilitators.Day one then ended with a festive Labrador food buffet and an entertaining performance by the Carol Players titled "Labrador in Motion".A theatre performance revolving around the Labrador Transportation System.

Day two started when Dr. Rob Greenwood provided a presentation (Presentation 82 KB - PDF Format), (Audio - Real Player Format) on what he heard from day one.The groups then proceeded into break out sessions to concluded the business started in day one.To wrap up events at the Arts and Culture Centre various delegates concluded with their thoughts.(Audio - Real Player Format)

Brad Hodgins is a regional manager for the Council of Atlantic Premiers (CAP) and the Eastern Canadian Premiers Secretariat located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Prior to his current position, he was Director, Strategic Services, Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development. Also with the provincial government, he led trade and investment initiatives and managed federal-provincial agreements for Department of Environment.Brad spoke about Regional Cooperation.

The 33rd Annual Combined Councils Socio-Economic Development Conference then began after lunch with a tour of the Iron Ore Company of Canada and municipal training.Saturday Morning road table sessions started with Boyd Rowe and Larry Bradley, Health Labrador Corporation and Herb Brett, NLFM.Saturday afternoon sessions continue with Ben Michel President of the Innu Nation, Todd Russell President of the Labrador Metis Nation and Labrador's four MHAs.

The Saturday night banquet highlighted NDP leader Jack Layton.Mr. Layton became the first ever national party leader to address the Combined Councils of Labrador.He touched on a variety of topics ranging from transportation infrastructure to medical health travel.

Sunday morning the conference concluded with Mr. Bob Smart, Deputy Minister of the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and a youth delegation from the Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Organization.The Combined Councils then completed its annual general meeting.

Gold Sponsors:

Town of Labrador City

Town of Wabush

Woodward Group of Companies

Multi - Materials Stewardship Board

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

Silver Sponsors:

Northlink Project

Municipal Assessment Agency

HJ O'Connell

Voisey's Bay Nickel Company

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Iron Ore Company of Canada

Hyron Regional Economic Development Board

Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities

Bronze Sponsors:

Goose Bay Airport Corporation

MHA Yvonne Jones / MHA Wally Andersen

Holiday Inn - St. John's

Carol Automobile Limited

Nova Consultants

Torngat Services Inc

Strategic Partners:

m5 Marketing Communications

Air Labrador

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Municipal Training and Development Corporation