The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources:

Mr. Speaker, I recently had the pleasure of joining representatives of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador for the proclamation of National Engineering and Geoscience Month in our province.

This is an annual event that highlights the importance of engineering and geoscience to the daily lives of residents. These professionals are helping advance major resource development projects in our offshore petroleum and mining industries and ensuring that pieces of critical public infrastructure are being built and maintained. Their work contributes greatly to our economic development.

As the Minister of Natural Resources, I am proud of our engineers and geoscientists and the invaluable contributions they are making. Their work is evident throughout the province as we drive over a bridge, walk into a newly constructed building or hear about the success of a new mine or offshore development project.

Mr. Speaker, we are positioning Newfoundland and Labrador globally as a preferred location for oil and gas and mining development and the strength and growth of these industries is due in part to the highly skilled professionals that are working on these projects, including the engineers and geoscientists.

Thank you.