An Acute Response Team has been established by the Provincial Government to address issues associated with homelessness/transient homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The Acute Response Team brings together senior leaders and decision-makers to lead the rapid development and implementation of acute responses to address the needs of individuals who are experiencing homelessness in the area. The Team has a mandate to address issues involving the vulnerable population that have arisen in the community.
In addition to sharing information, ideas and perspectives, the Acute Response Team provides a forum to collaborate and coordinate actions and solutions by organizations individually, or together with other entities.
Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and John Hogan, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, will serve as co-chairs of the Team. The Team is composed of representatives of government, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Indigenous Governments and Organizations.
Members of the Acute Response Team are:
- Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, Co-chair;
- John Hogan, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Co-chair;
- John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services;
- John Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation;
- Perry Trimper, Member of the House of Assembly for Lake Melville;
- Representative designated by Nunatsiavut Government;
- Etienne Rich, Grand Chief of Innu Nation;
- Mary Ann Nui, Deputy Grand Chief of the Innu Nation;
- Eugene Hart, Chief of the Sheshatshui Innu First Nation;
- Todd Russell, President of NunatuKavut Community Council; and,
- George Andrews, Mayor of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The efforts of the Acute Response Team are in addition to the work that has been undertaken by an Action Team, which was convened in 2021 to focus attention on vulnerable populations in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and address housing, health and other supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The Action Team, which represents a community-led and collaborative approach, has a membership which includes Indigenous Governments and Organizations, community partners, the RCMP, the regional health authority, and government departments and agencies.
Quotes
”The work that is being undertaken by the Acute Response Team will be founded on respectful, active listening and shared learning. Everyone involved in this process understands that we are dealing with complex issues and the discussions will be centred on the need for trauma-informed actions and solutions.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“This team’s objective is to identify required supports and highlight the issues surrounding safety and well-being of the homeless/transiently homeless population and residents of the area. There are no easy fixes but we are committed to collaborating with Indigenous Governments and organizations, the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and other stakeholders to identify some possible areas where action can be taken.”
Honourable John Hogan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety
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Learn more
Community Partners Continuing Supports for Homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay
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Media contacts
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs Secretariat
Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-4449, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
Emily-Jane Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-2634, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca