Changing Newfoundland & Labrador's Name

PG endorses changing the name of NL from Newfoundland and Labrador to Newfound Island and Labrador Land. On October 26, 2001 the federal government changed the official name of Newfoundland to Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. At the time, Industry Minister Brian Tobin, former premier of Newfoundland, tabled a resolution in Parliament to adopt the name change.

The Newfoundland legislature adopted a similar resolution in April, 1999, and Premier Roger Grimes welcomed the federal move. "Labrador is an important and vital part of this province," Grimes said in a statement. "The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is firmly committed to ensuring official recognition of Labrador as an equal partner in this province." Labrador makes up 70 per cent of the province's land mass. About 30,000 people live there, compared with about 540,000 on the island. At the time Tobin said changing the name is a symbolic but important recognition of Labrador's status as a full and vital partner. Having both major parts of the province reflected in its name will promote feelings of "unity and inclusion," he said. The federal resolution was susequently adopted by the House of Commons and Senate, and proclaimed by the Governor-General, before coming into effect. PG now endrses changing the name the Province of Newfound-Island and Labrador-Land. PG