Paul Davis heading to Labrador for meetings with aboriginal leaders
Premier Paul Davis will be travelling to Labrador early next month for meetings with aboriginal leaders in an attempt to smooth relations following a dust-up over mineral exports and comments by one of his cabinet ministers.
Davis announced Tuesday that he will meet with Nunatsiavut Government President Sarah Leo and Innu Nation Grand Chief Anastatia Qupee, likely during the week of April 6.
Both aboriginal leaders have been critical of the province's recent decision to extend the export exemption for Vale, allowing the mining giant to ship more nickel concentrate from its mine at Voisey's Bay outside of the province for processing.
The province has said the extension was necessary in order to give the company more time to complete its nickel processing plant in Long Harbour, Placentia Bay, and to avoid a shutdown at the mine in Voisey's Bay, which employs some 475 workers, most of whom are aboriginal.
Premier defends lack of consultation
The aboriginal groups have complained that they were not consulted before a decision was made, but Davis made it clear Tuesday that consultations were not necessary.
However, he will seek to meet with the two leaders in an effort to ensure good, respectful relations.
Davis also addressed the controversial comments made by Aboriginal and Labrador Affairs Minister Keith Russell.
During a recent encounter at an airport with an unnamed Nunatsiavut Government minister, Russell challenged the minister to go ahead and take legal action over the Vale decision, saying "go ahead and sue us, we'll win anyway."
The comment angered aboriginal leaders, with some saying it was disrespectful.
Russell refused to apologize during recent media interviews, but softened his position in a statement emailed to The Labradorian newspaper this week.
In it, Russell said he values the relationship he has with aboriginal leaders in Labrador, and apologized to anyone who was offended by his comments.
"I meant no disrespect," he wrote.
Comments take out of context
Davis said he has spoken with Russell about the importance of making sure his comments are "appropriate in the circumstances and discussions that you're having."
Davis added that he's satisfied that Russell has offered an apology, and believes his comments were taken out of context.
"He assures me he meant no offence to anybody," the premier told reporters.
Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi NDP MHA Lorraine Michael said in the legislature Tuesday that government members should undergo sensitivity training.
"I'm not convinced that is necessary," said Davis, adding, "it's not something we haven't already done."
