Happy Valley-Goose Bay is calling for additional government support before endorsing a proposed energy agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec that could trigger major construction activity across central Labrador.
The Labrador community of roughly 8,000 residents sits near the mouth of the Churchill River and is expected to play an important role if several projects outlined in the provinces’ proposed energy framework move forward.
Mayor Bert Pomeroy said the town needs significant infrastructure upgrades and additional resources to manage the impact of thousands of workers potentially arriving in the region.
“We’re going to feel the brunt of these projects,” Pomeroy said, adding that the community needs the resources required to deal with the resulting pressures.
The agreement, announced Monday by the premiers of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, involves the provinces’ respective hydro utilities and could pave the way for several energy developments around the Churchill River. These include a proposed power plant at Gull Island and an onshore wind farm.
The federal government has committed $10 billion in financing for several projects connected to the agreement, including transmission infrastructure and the Gull Island development.
If the projects proceed, central Labrador could experience a major influx of construction workers, increasing demand for housing, health care, transportation and other public services.
The town also expects additional pressure on its water and wastewater systems, roads, emergency response capabilities and social services.
Lessons from Muskrat Falls
For Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the concerns are closely linked to the experience of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.
Construction of the dam began in 2013 and brought a rapid increase in workers and economic activity to the community. However, Pomeroy said the town also experienced social challenges, including increased drug use, domestic violence and mental health issues, while struggling to provide adequate support.
“We can’t be traumatized like we were with Muskrat Falls,” he said.
The municipality is therefore seeking commitments from governments before the new projects advance. Its demands include upgrades to water and sewage infrastructure, improved roads, expanded ambulance facilities and a new firehall.
The town also wants formal, binding agreements covering municipal capacity funding, infrastructure investments, project timelines, social-impact mitigation and environmental commitments.
Innu communities raise consultation concerns
The proposed energy framework is also facing concerns from Innu communities.
The Matimekush-Lac John and Uashat mak Mani-utenam Innu nations in Quebec said they were not consulted during negotiations and stated that no agreement should proceed without their participation and consent.
The Innu Nation Secretariat in Quebec also warned that the proposed developments could significantly affect Nitassinan, the traditional Innu territory spanning parts of Quebec and Labrador.
Jodie Ashini, the newly elected grand chief of the Innu Nation in Labrador, said her priority will be ensuring that Innu rights and culture are respected as discussions move forward.
The energy agreement therefore faces important questions beyond its economic potential. While the proposed projects could generate thousands of jobs and significant investment, communities and Indigenous nations are seeking guarantees that the infrastructure, social and environmental impacts will be addressed before development accelerates.
