Today, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined by Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, to announce more than $1.5 million under the Investing in Canada Plan to demolish and rebuild the Aboriginal Family Centre in Happy Valley – Goose Bay.
The new two-storey facility will allow the Labrador Friendship Centre, the not-for profit organization running the centre, to continue offering key services and programs to the families of the Indigenous families and residents of Upper Lake Melville in a safer and more modern building. The new centre will pursue its mission to foster the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of children and enrich the lives of the Indigenous people of Labrador.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.2 million towards this project through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan. The provincial government is providing over $405,000 to the Labrador Friendship Centre for this project. The Labrador Friendship Centre will also benefit from a $113,000 tax rebate.
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, along with local partners, are working cooperatively to support jobs, improve our communities and build confidence as we safely and sustainably restore economic growth.
Quotes
“Our government is proud to support the construction of a new Aboriginal Family Centre for residents in Upper Lake Melville. The programming and services provided to children are vital to their development during the early learning years. The support that parents and caregivers receive for their children is immeasurable. Our working relationship with federal, municipal, Indigenous and community partners make these projects a reality so that our children will benefit in the future.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Investing in inclusive social infrastructure is essential to building healthy and resilient communities. With the construction of this important new facility, the Aboriginal Family Centre will be able to continue serving the Indigenous children of Labrador and local families for years to come. We are proud to work with our partners to deliver this important project to the community.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“Early childhood education has been a priority for me as the growing community needs appropriate infrastructure. The unique Aboriginal Family Center supports children from birth to six years of age by directly involving the parents or caretakers in a cultural setting. With this commitment from the Provincial Government, the new facility can now proceed.”
Perry Trimper
MHA for Upper Lake Melville
“The Labrador Friendship Centre Board, Management and Staff are excited and happy to receive Federal and Provincial funding to support the rebuilding of a new Aboriginal Family Centre. The new Centre will provide the Indigenous children in Happy Valley-Goose Bay with a space that is culturally appropriate, inviting, safe and state of the art. Parents and children will enjoy the new space while taking part in our very successful programs.”
Jennifer Hefler-Elson
Executive Director, Labrador Friendship Centre
– 30 –
Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca
Labrador Friendship Centre
709- 896-8302
jelson@lfchvgb.ca
Bonnie Learning
Constituency Assistant to
Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville
709-896-7975
bonnielearning@gov.nl.ca