Key priorities we need to consider...

• Young people's values for living in Newfoundland and Labrador are similar to all other residents of the province. They want reasonable access to quality services, including healthcare, transportation, and childcare services. They also have strong views on living healthy lifestyles.
• Youth place a high priority on protection of the environment and sustainable regional development. Participants in the Dialogue Sessions recognized that these are complex issues that extend beyond the parameters of a youth retention and attraction strategy. They are practical and realize these priorities are long-term goals to work towards and that many different stakeholders need to be involved in identifying and implementing strategies in these areas.

We have a strong foundation to build on...

• The Provincial Government has continued to invest in initiatives to enhance early childhood development and childcare. This includes, for example, the Early Learning and Childcare Plan, online Early Childhood Education Program, the creation of the Division of Early Childhood Learning in the Department of Education.

• The Provincial Government has been investing in the development of quality health services and supporting healthy lifestyles.

  • In 2009 the Provincial Government invested a record $2.6 billion for health and community services.
  • It has implemented a provincial Wellness Strategy - Go Healthy as well as a Provincial Sport and Recreation Strategy.
  • A Wellness Grants Program is administered by Health and Community Services to encourage community groups and organizations to address the priority areas of the Provincial Wellness Plan: Go Healthy (Phase I) which includes healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco control, injury prevention, mental health promotion, environmental health, child and youth development, and health protection.
  • It has supported the Youth Advisory Committee in addressing key issues for youth, including promoting healthy lifestyles.

  • Through the Healthy Schools Healthy Students Initiative, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is supporting positive changes that make a difference in the health of our students and schools by creating school environments that support healthy living for children, youth, and the larger school community.

    • School Food Guidelines have been implemented to help ensure students are provided with healthy food choices and are given quality information to promote health and wellness.
  • It has continued to invest in the Air Foodlift Subsidy (AFS) program to increase access to nutritious and perishable food items for people living on coastal Labrador. The program is currently administered by the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs.
  • A review of existing transportation policies is currently underway through the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Provincial Government has also recently released a new Social Housing Strategy.

• The Department of Environment and Conservation is responsible for all environmental legislation and sustainable development in Newfoundland and Labrador. This year they will be leading a Sustainable Development round table. Their efforts will be complemented by:

  • investments in the provincial Energy Plan; and
  • strategic objectives of the Departments of Natural Resources and Tourism, Culture and Recreation to support sustainable development.

• The Provincial Government has aggressively pursued and supported a regional approach for social and economic development through measures such as:

  • its Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy;
  • Rural Secretariat Regional Councils; and
  • Regional Economic Development Boards.

Through the Youth Partnership Forum, the Provincial Government will ensure young people's input is taken into consideration for all initiatives to improve services and support regional development.

• We will implement a Youth Leadership Scholarship Program focused on high school-aged students who have engaged in meaningful leadership and citizenship volunteer activities in the areas of healthy lifestyle, recreation, health and wellness, and promoting healthy living in their communities.

Download the CPRN Report "Making Newfoundland and Labrador a Province of Choice"

• Strengthen the health care system in Newfoundland and Labrador by considering innovative practices, such as a system of mobile health clinics.
• Implement a province-wide recycling and composting program.
• Identify strategies and opportunities in consultation with food industry suppliers to improve access in rural and remote parts of the province to fresh, nutritious and environmentally-sustainable foods.
• Investigate options for cost-effective transportation subsidies and models within, and between, regional hubs.
• Work with post-secondary institutions and the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation to increase the supply of post-secondary student housing.
• Consider developing a program of incentives for home ownership.
• Increase affordable, qualified community-based child care and early childhood development services.
• Expand the development of a comprehensive green innovation agenda to include the adoption of energy efficient technology and the creation of businesses that use renewable resources (wind, water).
• Expand the province's appeal as an eco-tourism destination and create green economy jobs.
• Identify opportunities to broaden environmental protection to protect the natural beauty of the province using legislation, regulations and policies.
• Create regional service hubs.

"[I] was very pleased to have a chance to voice my opinion about the things which affect my future. I was especially happy to be given the opportunity to be a voice for the environment and suggest changes which will benefit both us and it."

Youth Participant

"I'm glad I had the chance to get my opinion and voice out there and to be heard. I hope something comes out of this, not only for my future but my children as well. Newfoundland and Labrador means a lot to me and my family and I'm so happy and proud of myself to know I had the chance to do a once in a lifetime experience like this.thank you for giving me the chance to be heard".

Youth Participant

"The diversity challenges are particularly significant as we "change the face of Newfoundland and Labrador". The priorities that youth identified of the importance of education, sustainability and embracing diversity are key to the success of the province."

Youth Participant